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Book , A 2- ' 



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N" I.XII. 



OXBERRY'S 
JVETV 



CYMBELINE, 

A TRAGEDY ; 



B O S 1^ O N : 

PUBLISHED BY WELLS AND LILLY,— COURT-STREET 
A. T. GOODRICH Sz CO. NEW-YORK. 

1823. 



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HQSIAlSKJi Jtf THIS £DITIOK, AS FAR AS TET FIB- 
I.ISHEO 117 £XCLAKD. 



-No. 1 A New Way to Pay Old 

Debts. 

2 ftivals. 

3 West Indian. 

4 Hypocrite. 

5 Jealous Wife. 
G She Stoops to Conquer. 

^1 Richard III. 

» Beggar's Opera. 

9 Woudcr. 
iO Duenna. 
li Alexander the Great. 

12 Lionel and Clarissa. 

13 Hamlet. 

14 Venice Preserved. 
55 Is He Jealof.s ? * 

16 Woodman's Hut. * 

17 Love in a Village. 

18 Way to Keep Him. 

19 Castle Spectre. 

20 Maid of the Mill. 

21 Clandestine Marriagp. 

22 Soldier's Daughter. 

23 Othello. 
'"^4 Distressed Mother. 

25 Provoked Husband. 
36 Deaf and Dumb. 
N27 Busy Body. 

28 Belle's Stratagem. 

29 Romeo and Juliet. 

30 Recruiting Officer. 
ai Bold Stroke for a Wife. 

32 Road to Ruin. 

33 Beaux' Stratagem. 

34 As you Like It, 

35 King John. 

36 Country Girl. 
^^37 Jane Shrore. 

38 Critic. * 

O* TVtose marked thus * are Farces or Melo-drames ; Ui^ 
prices of which are 20 cents ; the Plays and Operas 35 centSr 



39 Corlolanug. 

40 Rosina. * 

41 Suspicious Husband. 

42 Honest Thieves. * 

43 Mayor of Garratt. • 

44 Merry Wives of Windsor. 

45 Stranger. 

46 Three Weeks after Ma> 

riage. * 

47 King Lear. 

48 Inconstant. 

49 Shipwreck. • 

50 Rugantino. • 

51 Wild Oats. 

52 Rule a Wife and Have 8 

Wife. 

53 Magpie. * 

54 Quaker. • 

s55 Merchant of Venice 
\5Q Wheel of Fortune. 

57 Rob Roy. 

58 Citizen. =* 

59 Deserter. » 
1s60 Miser. * 

61 Guy Mannering. 
,62 Cymbeline. 

63 Lying Valet. * 

64 Tw-elfth Night. 

65 The Confederacy. 

66 Douglas. 

67 Vf ho's the Dupe ? * 

68 Know Your own Mind. 

69 Macbeth. 

70 Tobacconist. * 

I 71 Midnight Hour. 
' 72 Grecian Daughter. 
73 Fortune's Frolic. * 

71 King Henry IV. 






CYMBELINE, aI^ 



A TRAGEDY ; 



Us ffi^^tlltam Sfiafesiiearr, 



WITH PREFATORY REMARKS. 

fHE ONLY EDITION EXISTING WHICH IS FAITHFULLY 

MARKED WITH THE STAGE BUSINESS, 

AND STAGE DIRECTIONS, 

AS IT IS PERFORMED AT THE 
By W. OXBERRY, Comedian, 



BOSTON : 

•UJiLTSHED BY WELLS AND LILLY — COURT-STREET 
A. T. GOODRICH & CO. — NEW-YORK. 

1823. 






^23 



MtmnvUu. 



CYMBELINE. 

J o the reader, Cymbeline is a beautiful production, bul 
to the spectator, it is far from interesting : in the rapid ac- 
tion of the scene, all the more delicate features of poetry- 
are lost : and Cymbeline has none of those stronger features 
which, though seen for a moment, leave a lasting imprpssion. 
The jealousy of Posthumus is, perhaps, as natural as that 
of Othello ; but it wants that tumult of feeling which char- 
acterizes the passion of the Moor, and which alone can 
produce any effect in representation. The same may be 
said of lachimo, who is, besides, a bad laao, and of the 
queen, who is at best an indifferent Lady Macbeth. Shaks- 
peare's greatest defect was in fable, as his greatest excel- 
lence was in passion and character ; but here, by an un- 
lucky chance, or a bad election, the interest is made to de- 
pend on the plot, which is feeble, because it is disjoiiited ; 
and tedious, because it improbable. The incident of the 
«hest is a mean contrivance, only fit for comedy, and al- 
together repugnant to the dignity of the tragic muse. It is, 
perhaps, true, that tragedy ought not to walk on stilts ; but 
it is no less true, that she ought not to crawl upon her 
knees. 

But though Cymbeline is not calculated to produce much 
effect upon the stage, it has many scenes of unqusstionable 



beauty to delight in the perusal, and some passages that 
are not surpassed by the best efforts of Shakspeare's best 
plays. These scenes will be generally found where the 
character of Imogen is brought forward, one of those lovely 
creations in which Shakspeare seems to have delighted, and 
which is imperfect only from its perfection. Imogen, in- 
deed, is all sweetness, the very essence of all that is beauti- 
ful in woman ; but the essence of the flower is sweeter than 
the flowei- itself; if she were less perfect, she would be more 
natural. After all, it may be doubted, notwithstanding 
the cant of criticism, whether nature should be the primary 
object of the poet ; the painter produces general effects by 
individual falsehood ; and why should not the poet be allow- 
ed the same license? or, indeed, is it not a necessity, rath- 
er than an allowance ? 

Cloten, as an individual portrait, is admirably drawn, 
but he does not harmonize sufficiently with those around 
him. It may, indeed, be said that, in common life, con- 
trarieties are blended ; the king and the collier, the highest 
and the lowest men, meet together ; but, unfortunately, the 
drama is a work of art, and therefore is a selection, not a 
mere mirror, that transcribes any form, and every form 
that passes before it : nor is the miad capable of more than 
one feeling only at the same time ; we cannot laugh and 
cry at the same moment ; a scene of murder, and the ex- 
iiibitions of Punch, might take place in the same spot, and 
in the same point of time, but the spectator would not be 
divided in his feelings ; he would give himself up to one or 
other of the scenes before him; and if personal fear did not 
intervene, the comedy of Punch would certainly gain the 
day. If we only refer to the sister art of painting, the 
point will be still more evident : the tricks of a mountebank 
would not be admitted on the same canvass where the 
painter wished us to weep over the agonies of a Jesus 



The plotof Cymbeline is more intricate than interesting ; 
and when the knot is at last to be untied, the pmcess is in- 
^nitely too tedious ; explanation follows explanation, when 
all excitement is over, and the impatient spectator feels 
himself in the painful state of a well-fed guest who is obli- 
ged to listen to a long grace after a long dinner. What is 
still worse, these explanations, however requisite to the 
(Character of the play, are by no means requisite to the 
auditor, and he feels therefore, little pleasure in listening 
to the detail of that which he already understands. He 
knows that the page is Imogen ; that the soldier is Posthu- 
mus ; and that Polydore and Cadvval are the king's sons : 
with what pleasu»e then can he listen to the development 
pf their relationship ? 

The dirge on the death of Imogen is not the least beauti- 
ful of Shakspeare's beautiful minor poems ; nor is it easy 
to conceive how a writer of Collin's exquisite feeling could 
have ventured to compose a substitute for what he was 
so well calculated to appreciate. He could not but have 
known the value of the original, and with this knowledge 
he could not have hoped to equal, much less to surpass 
that excellence. As the acting copy, from which we print, 
does not contain the dirge written by the immortal bard, we 
hold it "parcel of our duty" to give a copy of it here, that 
our readers raaj be enabled to form a judgment for them= 
selves. 

Gui, ^* Fear no more the heat o' the sun, 
Nor the furious winter's rages ; 

Thou thy worldly task has done, 

Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages ; 

Golden lads and girls all must, 

As chimney-sweepers, come to duet, 
1 * 



Arv. r«ar no more the frown o' the greiat. 

Thou art past the tyrant's stroke ; 
Care no more to clothe, and eat ; 

To thee the reed is as the oak : 
The sceptre, learning, physick, must 
All follow this, and come to dust. 

Gui, Fear no more the lightning-flash, 
Arv. Nor the all-dreaded thunder- stone ; 
Gui. Fear not slander, censure rash ; 
Arv. Thou hast finish'd joy and moan: 
Both. All lovers young, all lovers must 
Consign to thee, and come to dust. 

Gui. No exerciser harm thee ! 

Arv. Nor no \\4tchcraft charm thee I 

Gui. Ghost unlaid forbear thee ! 

Arv. Nothing ill come near thee I 

Both. Quiet consummation have ; 
And renowned be thy grave ! 
In comparing this with the more modern poems, the first 
thing that strikes us is the air of reality in Shakspeare's mo- 
ther's dirge. Shakspeare speaks to the dead ; Collins, o/the 
dead : Shakspeare realizes ; Collins describes; Shakspeare 
is natural and simple ; Collins pretty and elaborate. In the 
whole circle of poetry there is no finer study for the scholar 
than these two poems ; no example from which we can 
better learn to estimate the value of the ancient as oppos- 
ed to the modern school of poetry. The old critic has 
taught us that, " ars est celare artem ;" but there is some- 
thing beyond this, an unconsciousness of art, which is 
always right, without knowing why it is right, an instinc- 
tive feeling of propriety, which belongs only to genius, and 
which indeed can be distinguished ;by no other name than 
genius. 



mmt of HrpreisentatCott. 



The time this piece takes in representation is three hours 
and ten minutes. The half-price commences at nine 
lY'lock. 



Stage Directions. 



By R.H. is meant Right Hand. 

L.H. - Left Hand. 

S.E. Second Entrance. 

u.E. Upper Entrance. 

M.D. Middle Door. 

D.F. Door in Flat. 

R.H.D. Right Hand Door. 

li.H.D. ----------------- Left Hand Door. 



dtoutnmt. 



POSTHUMUS.— First dress.— A prrej old English doublet, and white 
pantaloons, trimmed with black; russet botts *. grey old Enjilish hat — 
Second dress.— A Roman shape, richly trimmed,— Third dres* —An old 
English tunic, of dark drab cloth, plain. 

CYN'BELINE.- An old English robe, richly embroidered and trim- 
med with ermine ; black velvet trunks, and jacket stuffed with white 
satin, richly embroidered. 

CLO'I EN —A pea-green old English jacket, breeches, and cloak, 
lined, and pufted with pink satin, and richly embroidered.- Second dress. 
—The same as Po'thumus's first dress. 

lACHIMO.— A Roman general's dress. 

LUCIUS.— Ibid. 

GUIDERIUS & POLYDORE.-Green tunics, and flesh coloui^ 
pantaloons ; sandals ; and gi"et;n caps 

BELARIUS.— Drab tunic ; flesh legs ; sandals ; drab cap. 

Roman Officers in generals' dresses richly embroidered. 

PISANIO.— A brown old English dress, trimmed with yellow lace. 

QUEEN.— Muslin dress, and scarlet cloth robe, trimmed with gold.' 

IMOGEN— First dress.— White cloth dress, and rcbe trimmed with 
silver.- Second dress —Grey cloth mantle.— Third dress— Brown tunic, 
trimmed with buff; brown pantalcoons. 

Officers of the Court, and Attendants in rich old English dresses. 

Old English Soldiers. 

Roman Sqldiers. 



^tvHom IXtpvtmntt^i. 



Covent Garden* 
Cymbeline- ---•»-■-- Mr. Egerton. 
Cuiderius --.-»-. •-•Mr Abbott. 
Amiragus ------...- Mr. Duruset. 

Cinen --Mr. Farley. 

Br'nrius •--.--.-•-Mi Chapman. 
Fos humus -.-----.. MrC. Kemble* 
Locrine -.-------. Mr Hunt. 

I/ladan Mr Comer. 

Cornehus .--•-••--Mr Home. 
Pisanio -----------Mr Coiinor. 

Jachimo' ---------- Mr. Matready. 

Lucius •-----••---Mr \ates 

Varus Mr Jt-ftieries. 

Fhilario Mr. Atkins. 

Lewis -..---•--- • Mr Mears. 

Queen .--------- Mrs Faucit. 

Imogen ---------- Miss Foote. 

Helen • Mi s Shaw. 

Brkith and Roman Officers and Soldiers.—Masguers und Singers. 
^Scene^sometimes in Britain, smtettmen in Itaier* 



CYMBELINE. 



ACT I. 

SCENE L-^Britain. 

The Garden of Cymheline'' s Palace. 

Enter Pisanio and Madan, l.h. 

Fis. You do not meet a man, but frowns : our 
bloods 
No more obey the heavens, than our courtiers ; 
Still seem, as does the king'*s. 

Mad. But whafs the matter? 

Pis. Are you so fresh a stranger to ask that ? 
His daughter, and the heir of his kingdom, whom 
He purpos d to his wife's sole son, (a widow, 
That late he married,) h ith referr'd herself 
Unto a poor, but worthy gentleman : she's wed- 
ded ; 
Her husband banish'd ; she imprison'd : all 
Is outward sorrow ; though, i thmk, the king 
Be toucli'd at very heart. 



12 CYMBELINE, 

Mad. None but the king ? 
Pis. Not a courtier, 
Although they wear their faces to the bent 
Of the kina'''s looks, hath a heart that is not 
Glad at the thma: they scowl at. 

Mad. And why so ? [thing 

Pis. He that hath miss'd the princess, is a 
Too bad for bad report : and he that hath her, 
(I m'^an that married her, -alack, good man ! — 
And theu'efore banish d,) is a creature such 
As, to seek through the regions of the earth 
For one his like, there would be something fail- 
In him that should compare. [ing 
Mad. His name, and birth? 
Pis. His father 
Was call'd Sicihus, who did ioin his honour, 
Against the Romans with Cassibelan ; 
So gain'd the sur-addition, Leonatus : 
He had, besides this gentleman in question, 
Two other sons ; who, in the wars o' the time, 
Died wilb their swords in hand: for which, 

their father. 
Then old, and fond of issue, took such sorrow, 
Thflt he quit bemg ; and his gentle lady, 
Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceas'd 
As he was born. The king, he takes the babe 
To his protection : calls him Posthumus ; 
Br»^(vis him, and makes him of his bed-chamber* 
Puts 10 him all the learnings that his time 
Cio'd muke him the receiver of; which he took, 
A" we do air, fast as 't was ministerd ; and 
In his spring became a harvest : liv'd in court, 
Which rare it is to do^ most praisd, most lov?d 



CYMBELINE. 13 

A sample to the youngest : to the more mature, 
A glass that tealed them; (l) and to the graver, 
A child that gu'.ded dotards. 

Mad. I honour him 
Even out of your report. But, 'pray you, tell 
Is she sole child to the kmg? [me, 

Pis. riis only child. 
He had two sons, (if this be worth your hearing, 
Mark it:) the eldest of them at three years old, 
V the swathing clothes the other, from iheir 
nursery [knowledge 

Were stolen ; and to this hour, no guess ia 
Which way they went. 

AJad How long is this ago? 

Pis. Some twenty years. fvey'd ! 

Mad That a king's children should he so con- 
So slackly guarded ! And the search so slow, 
That could not trace them ! 

Pis. Howsoe'er H is strange, 
Or that the negligence may well be lasigh'd at, 

Yet is it true, sir. 

We must forbear : [Madan crosses to r.h.) Here 

comes the gentleman, 
The queen, and princess. [Exit Aladan^ r.h. 

Enter the Queen, Imogen, and Posthumus, l.h. 

Queen. No, be assur'd, you shall not find me, 
daughter, 

(1) A glass that feated them, is a model, by viewing 
which their form became more elegant, and their manners 
more polished. 

2 



14 CYMBERLINE. 

After the slander of most step-mothers, 
Evil-ej'd unto you : you are mj prisoner, but 
Your gaoler shall deliver you, the keys [mus,- 
That lock up your restraint. For you Posthu- 
So soon as I can win the offended king, 
I will be known your advocate : marry, yet 
The fire of rage is in him : and 't were good 
You lean'd unto his sentence, with what pa- 
Your wisdom may inform you. [tience. 

Post. Please your highness, 
1 will from hence to-day. 

Qyjeen. You know the peril : 

I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying 
The pangs of barr'd affections ; though the king 
Hath chargM you should not speak together. 

[Exit^ R.H. 
Imo. O, 
Dissembling courtesy ! How fine this tyrant 
Can tickle where she wounds ! — My dearest hus- 
You must be gone ; [band, 

And I shall here abide the hourly shot 
Of angry eyes ; not comforted to live, 
But that there is this jewel in the world, 
That I may see again. 

Post. My queen ! my mistress ! 
O, lady, weep no more ; lest I give cause 
To be suspected of more tenderness 
Than doth become a man ! I will remain 
The loyaPst husband that did e'er plight troth. 
My residence in liome, at one Philario's : 
Who to my father was a friend, to me 
Known but by letter : thither write, my queen, 
And with mine eyes Til drink the words you 
Tbough ink be made of gall. [send 



CYMBELINE. 15 



Enter Queen, r.h. 

Q^ueen. Be brief, I pray you : 
if the king come, I shall incur I know not 
How much of his displeasure. {^Posthumus and 

Imogen converse apart. ^ 
Yet Pll move him [Aside.) 

To walk this way ; I never do him wrong, 
But he does buy my injuries, to be friends ; 
Pays dear for my offences. [Exit^ r.h. 

Post. Should we be taking leave 
As long a term as yet we have to live, 
The loathness te depart would grow : adieu ! 

Imo. Nay, stay a little : 
Look here, love : 

This diamond was my mother's : take it, heart ; 

(^Gives him a ring.) 
But keep it till you woo another wife, 
When Imogen is dead. 

Post. How ! how ! another? — 
You gentle gods, give me but this 1 have. 
And sear (1) up my embracements from a next 
With bonds of death ! — Remain, remain thou 
here {Putting on the ring.) 

While sense can keep it on I (2) And sweetest, 
fairest, 

(1) In the spelling of the last age, no distinction was 
made between cere cloth and sear cloth. Cole, in his Latin 
Dictionary., 1679, explains the word cerdt by sear cloth. 
Shakspeare, no doubt, had that practice in his thoughts. 

(2) The poet (if it refers to the ring^ ought to have 
written — can keep thee on. But Shakspeare has many 
similar inaccuracies. ' 



16 CYMPELINE. 

As f my poor self did exchange for you, 
To your so infinite loss ; so, in our trifles 
1 still win of you : for my sake, wear this; 
It IS a manacle of love , (1) Til place it 

( Ties a bracelet on her arm.) 
Upon this fairest prisoner. 

lino. O. the gods ! — 
When shall we see again ? 

Enter Cymbeline, Mad an, and Locrine, r.h. 

Post Alack, the king ! [my sight ! 

Cy/n. hou basest thing, avoid ! hence, from 
If, after this command, thou fraught the court 
A^ ith thy unvvorthmess, thou diest : away! 
Thou art poison to my hlood. 

Past. The gods protect you ! 
And bless the good remainders of the conrt ! 
I am gone. [Exit^ l.H. 

Imo. There cannot be a pinch in death 
More sharp than this is. — 
Pisanio, go, and see your lord on board. 

[Exit Pisanio., l.k. 

Cym. O disloyal thing, [est many 

That should'st repair (2) my youth ; thou heap- 
A yf^ar's age on me ! — 

Lno. I beseech you, sir, 
Harm not yourself with your vexation ; I 



(1) A manacle properly means what we now call a hand- 
cuff. 

(2) Renovate. 



CYMBELINE. 17 

Am senseless of your wrath ; a touch more 
Subdues all pangs, all fears. [rare (1) 

Cym. That might'st have had the sole son of 
my queen ! — 

Imo. O bless'd, that I might not I 

Cym. Thou took'st a beggar; would'st have 
A seat of baseness. [made my throne 

Imo. No ; I rather added 
A lustre to it. 

Cym. O thou vile one ! 

Imo Sir, 
It is your fault that I have lov'd Posthumus 
You bred him as my play-fellow ; and he is 
A man, worth any woman ; over-buys me 
Almost the sum he pays. (2) 

Cym. What ! — art thou mad ? 

Imo. Almost, sir : heaven restore me ! — 
'Would I were 
A neat-herd's daughter ! and my Leonatus 
Our neighbour shepherd's son ! 

Enter Queeit, r.h. 

Cym. Thou foolish thing ! 
They were again together : you have done 

(1) A more exquisite feeling ; a superior sensation. 

(2) So small is ray value, and so great is his, that in 
the purchase he has made, (for which he paid himself,) 
for much the greater part, and nearly the whole, of what 
he has given, he has nothing in return. The most minute 
portion of his worth would be too high a price for the wife 
he has acquired. 

2 * 



18 CYMBKLINE. 

Not after onr command. Away with her, 
An^ pen her up. (Crosses r.h.) 

(^iieen. 'Beseech yonr patience : — peace. 
Dear la^ly danschter, peace ; — sweet soverei^fn. 
Leave ns to ourselves ; and make yourself some 

comfort 
Onf of yonr be^it advice, fl) 

Cym. Nay, let her lansrnish 
A drop of blood a day: and, being aged. 
Die of this folly! 

\ Exeunt Cymbelme^ Locrine^ and Madan^K.H. 

Queen. Fie ! — you must give way. 

Enter Pisanio, l.h. 

Here is yonr servant, 

Your faithful servant : I dare lay mine honour, 

He will remain so. [Exit. r.h. 

Pis. I humbly thank your highness. 

tnio. VVpII, o-ood Pisanio, [last 

Thou saw'st thy lord on hoard : — -what was the 
Thi* he spake to thee ? 

Pis. 'Twa«, ^Hs queen., his queen ! 

I'!>n. Th^n wnv'd his han<lkerchief ? 

Pis. -nd ki«;s'd it, madam. 

lino. ?>pn«e]ess 1 nen ! happier therein than I ! — 
And that was all? 

Pis No, madam : for so lonsf 
As hf» could make me, with this eye, 
Dislinofuish him from others, he did keep 
The deck, with ?-love, or hat, or handkerchief, 
Still waving, as the tits and stirs of his mind 
(1) ReflectioHc 



CYMBELINE. 1^ 

Could best express how slow his soul sailM on, 
How swift his ship. 

L.'W. Thou should'st have made him 
As little as a crow, or less, ere left 
To after-eye him. 

Pis. Madam, so I did. 

Itno I would have broke mine eye^strings ; 
crack'd them, but 
To look upon him ; till the diminution 
Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle : 
Nay, follovv'd him, till he had melted from 
The smallness of a ^nat to air ; and then [sanio, 
Hive turnM mine eye, and wept. — But, good Pi- 
\Vhf>n shall we hear from him ? 

Pis. Be assur'd, madam, 
With his next vantage. ( I) 

Into. I did not take my leave of him, but had 
Most pretty thint^s to say: ere I could tell him, 
How I would think on him, at certain hours. 
Such thoughts, and such ; or have charg'd him, 
At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight, 
To encounter me with orisons, (2) tor then 
I am in heaven for him ; (>^) or ere I could 
Give him that parting kiss, which 1 had set 
Bet wixt two charming words, comes in my father. 
And, like the tyrannous breathing of the north. 
Shakes all our buds from growing. — See the 

Queen. — 
Those things I bid you do, get them despatched, 

\Exit^ R.H. 

Pis. Madam, I shall, [Exit^ l.h.s.Eo 

(1) Oppoitunity. 

(2) Meet me with reciprocal prayer. 

(3) My solicitatigns ascend to heaven on his behalf. 



20 CYMBELINE. 

Enter Queen, l.h.s.e. meeting Cob.nkl\vs. 

Queen. Now, master doctor ; have you brought 
those drugs ? 

Cor. rleaseth your highness, ay : 

(^Gives the Queen a phial in a case.) 
But, I beseech your grace, — without offence, — 
My conscience bids rne ask, — wherefore you have 
Commanded of me these most poisonous com- 
pounds. 

Queen. I do wonder, doctor, 
Thouask'st me such a question : have I not been 
Thy pupil long? 
I will try the forces 
Of these thy compounds, 
And apply 

Allayments to their act; and by them gather 
Their several virtues and effects. — 
Here comes a flattering rascal ; upon him (^Aside.) 
Will I first work ; he's for his master, 
An enemy to my son. 

Enter Pisanio, l.h. and going to r.ii. 

How now, Pisanio ? {Stops him.) Hark thee, a 

word. — 
Doctor, your service for this time is ended. 

{Talks privately with Pisanio.) 
Cor. (Aside.) I do suspect you, madam ; 
But you shall do no harm. 
I know her spirit. 

And will not trust one of her malice with 
A drug of such damn'd nature : those, she has, 
Will stupify and dull the sense awhile ; 
But there is 



CYMBELINE. 21 

No danger in what show of death it tnnkes, 
More than the locking up the spirits a time, 
To be more fre-h, reviving'. She is foofd 
With a most false effect ; and I the truer, 
So to be false with her. [Kxit^ r.h. 

Queen. Weeps she still, say'st thou ? Dost 
thou think, in time 
She will not quench ; ( j ) and let instructions enter 
Where folly now possesses ? Po thou work : 
When thou shalt bring me word, she ioves oiy 

son, 
I'll tell thee, on the instant, thou art then 
As great as is thy master : greater ; for 
His fortunes all lie speechless, and his name 
Is at last gasp : 
What shalt thou expect, 
To be depender on a thins' that leans? (2) 
Who cannot be new built : nor has no friends, 
So much as but to prop km? 

{The Queen drops a. box: Pisanio takes it vp.) 
Thou tak'st np 11, our: 

Thou know'st not what ; but take it for thy la- 
It 's a thing \ n>ade, which hath the k'ng 
Five times redeemed from death : i do not ki-ow 
What is more cordial :-- nay, 5 pr'ylhee, take it: 
It is an earnest of a further good 
I mean to thee Tell thy mistress how 
The case stands with her; do't, as from thyself. 
I'll move the king 

To any shape of thy preferment, such 
As thou'lt desire ; and then n»yself, I chiefly. 

(1) Grof^ cool. 

(2) That inclines towards its fall. 



22 CYMBELINE. 

That set thee on to this desert, am bound 

To load thy merit richly. 

Fare thee well, Pisanio ; 

Think on my words. [Exit^ r.h. 

Pis. And shall do ; 
But when to my good lord I prove untrue, 
I'll choke myself, there's all I'll do for you. 
By this he's at Rome, and ^ood Philario, 
With open arms, and grateful heart, receives 
His friend's reflected image in his son, 
Old Leonatus in young I'osthumus : 
Sweet Imogen, what thou endur'st the while, 
Betwixt a father by thy step-dame govern'd ; 
A mother hourly coining plots; a wooer, 
More hateful than the foul expulsion is 
Of thy dear husband — -heaven keep unshaken 
That temple, thy fair mind, that thou may'st stand 
To enjoy thy banish'd lord, and this great land ! 

[Exit, L.H. 

SCENE II. — Rome. — An Apartment in Philario' s 
House. — (Mm5ic.) 

Philario, {in the Centre,^ with a Letter, Tachimo, 
R.H. and Lewis, l.h. discovered at a Banquet. 

lach. Believe it, sir: I have seen him in Bri- 
tain : he was then of a crescent note ; expected 
to prove so worlhy, as since he hath been al- 
low'd the name of: but I could then have look'd 
on him without the help of admiration ; though 
the catalogue of his endowments had been ta- 
bled by his side, and I to peruse him by items 



CYMBELINE, 23 

Phil. You speak of him when he was less 
furnish'd than now he is. 

Lewis. 1 have seen him in France : we had 
very many there, could behold the sun with as 
firm eyes as he. 

lach. This matter of marrying his king's 
daughter (wherein he must be weigh'd rather 
by her value, than his own,) words him, 1 doubt 
not, a great deal from the matter.(l) 

Lewis. And then his banishment : — 

lack. Ay, and the approbation of those that 
weep this lamentable divorce, under her co- 
lours, (2) are wonderfully to extend(3) him ; be 
it but to fortify her judgment, which else an ea- 
sy battery might lay flat, for taking a beggar 
without more quality. But how comes it, he is 
to sojourn with you ? How creeps acquain- 
tance ? 

Phil. His father and I were soldiers together : 
to whom I have been often bound for no less 
than my life. — Here comes the Briton : let him 
be so entertained amongst you, as suits, with 
gentlemen of your knowing, to a stranger of his 
quality. 

Enter Posthumus, l.h. 
— I (^Philario crosses to Posthumus and embraces 

(1) Makes the description of him very distant from the 
truth. 

(2) Under her banner ; by her influence. 

(3) Exalt. 



24 CYMBELINE. 

him.) beseech you all, be better known to this 
gentleman ; whom I commend to you, as a no- 
ble friend of mine : how worthy he is, I will 
leave to appear hereafter, rather than story 
him in his own hearing. 

Lewis. Sir, we have known together in Or- 
leans. {^Crosses to Posthumus.) 

Post Since when I have been debtor to you 
for courtesies, which I will be ever to pay, and 
yet pay still. 

Lewis. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness : I 
was glad 1 did atone(l) my countryman and 
you ; it had been pity, you should have been put 
together with so mortal a purpose, as then each 
bore, upon importance(2) of so slight and trivial 
a nature. 

Post. By your pardon, sir, — 1 was then a 
young traveller; but, upon my mended judg- 
ment (if 1 offend not to say it is mended,) my 
quarrel was not altogether slight. 

Lewis. 'Faith, yes, to be put to the abitre- 
m^^nt of swords. 

lack. Can we, with manners, ask what was 
the d'flference ? 

Lewis. Safely, I think ; 't was a contention in 
public, which may, without contradiction, (3) 
sutTf-r the report. It was mtich like an argu- 
ment that fell out last night, where each of us 

(1) Reconcile. 

(2) fmporf' nee ?s here, as elsewhere in Shakspeare, im- 
poituij'ty, instigation. 

(3) Which, undoubtedly, may be publicly told. 



CYMBELINE. 25 

fell in praise of onr country mistresses: this gen- 
tleman at that time vouching- (and upon warrant 
of bloody affirmation,) his to be more fair, virtu- 
ous, wise, chasie, constant-qualitied, and less at- 
temptible, than any the rarest of our ladies in 
France. 

lach. That lady is not now living; or this 
gentleman's opinion, by this, worn out. 

Post. She holds her virtue still, and I rny 
mind. 

lach. You must not so far prefer her 'fore ours 
of Italy. 

Post. Being so far provoked as I was in France, 
I would abate her nothing ; though I profess 
myself her adorer, not her friend. 

lach. As fair, and as good, (a kind of hand-in- 
hand comparison,) had been something too f^'-r, 
and- too good, for any lady in Britany. If she 
went before others 1 have seen, as that diamond 
of yours out-lustres many I have beheld, I couid 
not but believe she excelled many; but 1 have 
not seen the most precious diamond that is, nor 
you the lady. 

Post. I praised her as I rated her : so do I 
my stone. 

lach. What do you esteem it at ? 

Post. More than the world enjoys. 

lach. Either your unparagoned mistress is 
dead, or she's out-priz'd by a trifle. 

Post. You are mistaken : the one may be sold, 
or given ; if there were wealth enough for the 
purchase, or merit for the gift : the other is not 
a thing for sale, and only the gift of the gods. 
3 



26 CYMBELINE. 

lach. Which the gods have given you '? 

Post. Which, by their graces, I will keep. 

lack. You may wear her in title yours : but, 
you know, strange fowl light upon neighbouring 
ponds. Your ring may be stolen too : so, of 
your brace of unprizeable estimations, the one 
is but frail, and the other casual ; a cunning 
thief, or that way-accomplish'd courtier, would 
hazard the winning both of first and last. 

Post. Your Italy contains none so accomplish- 
ed a courtier, to convince(l) the honour of my 
mistress ; if in the holding or loss of that, you 
term her frail. I do nothing doubt, you have 
store of thieves ; notwithstanding 1 fear not my 
ring. 

Phil. Let us leave here, gentlemen. 

Post. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy 
signior, I thank him, makes no stranger of me ; 
we are familiar at first. 

lach. With five times so much conversation, I 
should get ground of your fair mistress: make 
her go back, even to the yielding; had I admit- 
tance, and opportunity to friend. 

Post. No, no. 

lach. I dare, thereon, pawn the moiety of my 
estate to your ring ; which, in my opinion, over- 
values it something : but I make my wager ra- 
ther against your confidence, than her reputa- 
tion : and, to bar your offence herein too, I durst 
attempt it against any lady in the world. 

Post. You are a great deal abused (2) in too 

(1) Overcome, (2) Deceived, 



CYMBELINE. 27 

bold a persuasion ; and I doubt not you sustain 
what you're worthy of, by your attempt. 

lach. What's that? 

Post. A repulse : though your attempt, as you 
call it, deserve more ; a punishment too. 

Phil. Gentlemen, enough of this : it came in 
too suddenly ; let it die as it was born, and, I 
pray you, be better acquainted. 

lach 'Would I had put ray estate, and my 
neighbour s, on the approbation (1) of what I 
have spoke. 

Post. What lady would you choose to assail ? 

lach. Yours ; whom in constancy, you think, 
stands so safe. I will lay you ten thousand du- 
cats to your ring, that, commend me to the court 
where your lady is, with no more advantage than 
the opportunity of a second conference, and I 
will bring from thence that honour of hers, 
which you imagine so reserved. 

Post. I will wage against your gold, gold to 
it : my ring 1 hold dear as my finger ; 't is part 
of it. 

lach. You are a friend, and therein the wi- 
ser (2) If you buy ladies' flesh at a million a 
dram, you cannot preserve it from tainting : but, 
I see, you have some religion in you, that you 
fear. 

Post. This is but a custom in your tongue ; 
you bear a graver purpose, I hope. 

(1) Proof. 

(2) You are a friend to the lady, and therein the wiser, 
as you will not expose her to hazard ; and that you fear 
Is a proof of your religious fidelity. 



28 CYMBELINE. 

lach. I am the master of my speeches ; (1) 
and uould un.V^rg-o h hat's spoken, I swear. 

Post. Will yon? — Let there be covenants 
dr ivvn between us : my mistress exceeds in good- 
ness the huofeness of your unworthy thinking : I 
dare you to chis m;jtch : here's my ring, 

thil. I Will have it no lay. 

lack. By the gods, it is one: — If I bring you 
no jJiirticient test roony that I have enjoy'd your 
mi-tresi*, my ten thousand ducats are yours; — 
P'ovded, I have your commendation for my 
more free entertainment. 

Post. I embrace these cond.tions ; let us have 
articles betwixt us: — only, thus far you shall 
answer. If you make your voyage upon her, 
and give me directly to understand you have 
prevailed, 1 am no further your enemy, she is 
not worth our debate : if she remain unseduc- 
ed (you not making it appear otherwise,) for 
your ill opiUion, and the assiult you have made 
to her chastity you shall answer me with your 
sword. 

fach. Your hand ; a covenant: we will have 
these things set down by lawiul connstl. and 
straio^ht away for Brrtain ; lest the barga.n should 
catch cold, and starve : I will fetch my gold, 
and have our two wagers recorded. 

Post. Agreed. [Exeunt, r.h. 

rND OF ACT I. 



(1> ^. e. I know what I have said ; I said no more than 
I meant. 



CYMBELINE: 29 



ACT II. 



SCENE L — Britain. — Imogen'' s ApartinenU 
Enter Imogi-n, l.h. 

Imo. A father cruel, and a step-dame false ; 
A foolish suitor to a wedded lady, 
That hath her hushand banish'd ;-0,that husband! 
My supreme crown of grief ! and those repeated 
Vexations of it ! Had I been thief-stolen, 
As my two brothers, happy I but most miserable 
Is the desire that\s g'iorious : blessed be those, 
How mean soe'er, that have their honest wills, 
Which seasons comtort. (l) — Who may this be? 
Fye! 

Enter Pisanio, and Iachimo, l.h. 

Pis. Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome ; 
Comes from my lord with letters. 

lack. Change you, madam ? 
The worthy Leonatus is in safety. 
And greets your highness dearly. 

{^Kneels and presents a letter, and kisses her 
hand as she raises hi?n.) 

(1) '* That those are happy who have their honest wills, 
which gives a relish to comfort; but that those are misera- 
ble who set their aftections on objects of superior excel- 
lence, which are of course difficult to obtain." The word 
honest means jp/am or humble, and is opposed to glorious. 

3 * 



30 CYMBEUNE. 

Into. Thanks, g^ood sir; 
Yon Rre kindly welcome. (Fea(h the letter.) 

lack. All of her. that is out of door, most rich ! 
If she be fnrnish''d with a mmd so rare, 
She is alone the Arabian bird and I 
Have lost the wasfer. Boldness be my friend ! 
Arm me, andacitv, from head to foot ! (Aside.) 

Imo. {Reads aloud ) — He is one of the noh'est 
note., to whose kindnesses I am most injinitely tied. 
R'Hect upon him accordingly^ as you value your 
tr'iest Leonatus, 

So far I read alond : 
Bnt even the very middle of my heart 
It- wirmM by the rest, and takes it thankfully.— 
Yon are as welcome, worthy sir, as I 
Hive vvord^ to bid you; and shall find it so, 
In all that I can do. 

fach. Thanks, fairest lady. — feyes 

What! are men mad? Hath nature Sfiven them 
To see this vaulted arch, and the rich crop 
Of sea and land, which can distinsruish 'twixt 
1 he fiery orbs above, and the twinn'd stones 
Upon the number'd(l) beach,— and can we not 
Partition make 
'Twixt fair and fou) ? 

Imo. What makes vrur fi'^miration ? [keys 

lack, 't cannot be i'the eye ; for apes and mon 

(P N-imberM is perhaps mi.merot/s. T'^nnn'd xfnprsl 
do not iinHerstand. — Tirinnd sltfU", of p."''" ofs^ e'l't, are 
very co\iimon. For twinnVi we niighl efi' t^' i:' > • th.-t js 
tw^xted, conrohcd ; but this sense is more applicabJe to 
shells than stones. 



CYMBELINE. 31 

^Twixt two such shes, would chatter this way, and 
Contemn with mows the other. 

Imo. What is the matter, trow ? 

lach. The cloyed will, 
That satiate, yet unsatisfyed desire, 
Ravening- first 
The lamb, long^s after for the garbage. 

Imo. What, dear sir, 
Thas raps you ? Are you well ? [sir, 

lack. Thanks, madam ; well : — 'beseech you, 
Desire my man's abode where I did leave him ; 
He's stranofe, and peevish. (1) {To Pisanio.) 

Pis. I was going, sir. 
To give him welcome. [Exit^ i..h. 

Imo. Continues well my lord? His health, 
'beseech you ? 

lack. Well, madam. 

Imo. Is he dispos'd to mirth? I hope he is. 

lack. Exceeding pleasant; none a stranger 
there 
So merry and so gamesome : he is call'd 
The Briton reveller. 

Imo. When he was here. 
He did incline to sadness ; and oft-times 
Not knowing why. 

lach. I never saw him sad. 
There is a Frenchman, his companion, 
That, it seems, much loves 
A Gallian girl at home : he furnaces 
The thick sighs from him ; whiles the joUyBriton 

(1) Strange signifies shy or backward. — Peevish ancient- 
ly meant weak, silly. 



32 CYMBELINE. 

(Your lord I mean,) laughs from's free lungs, 

cries, O! 
Can my sides hold^ to think^ that man^ — who knows. 
By history^ report^ or his own proofs 
What woman is, yea^ what she cannot choose 
But must 6e, — will his free hours languish for 
Assured bondage? 

Imo. Will u\y lord say so? 

lach. Ay, madam ; with his eyes in flood with 
laughter. 
It is a recreation to he by, 
And hear him mock the Frenchman: but, hea- 
vens kucvv. 
Some men are much to blame. 

Juio. Not he, ! hope. 

lach. Not he : hut yet heaven's bounty to- 
wards him ni:ght [much ;(1) 
Be us'd more ihanktuily. In himself 't is 
In you, — vvhich i count his, beyond all talents, — 
Vi hilst 1 am hound to wonder, I am bound 
To pity loo. 

Imo. What do you pity, sir? 

lach. Two creatures, heartily. 

Imo. Am ' one, sir ? 
You look on me, — what wreck discern you in me 
Deserves your pity ? 

lach. Lamentable ! What ! 
To hide me from the radiant sun, and solace 
r the dunt^eon by a snuff? 

(1) If he merely regarded his own character, without 
apy consideration of his wife, his conduct would be un» 
pardonable. 



CYMBELINE. 35 

Imo. 1 pray you, sir, 
Deliver with more openness your answers 
To my demands. Why do you pity me? 

Ictch. That others do, 

I was about to say, enjoy your But 

It is an office of the gods to 'venge it, 
Not mine to speak on't. 

Imo. You do seem to know [yo"? — 

Something of me, or what concerns me ; 'pray 
(Since doubting things go ill, often hurts more 
Than to be sure they do,) — 
Discover to me 
What both you spur and stop. (1) 

lach. Had I this cheek 
To bathe my lips upon ; this band, whose touch, 
Whose every touch, would force the feeler's soul 
To the oath of loyalty : this object, which 
Takes prisoner the wild motion of mine eye. 
Fixing it only here ; — should I ~ damn'd then ! — 
Slaver with lips as common as the stairs 
That mount the Capitol ; join gripes with hands 
Made hard with hourly falsehood, as with labour; 
It were fit. 

That all the plagues of hell should at one time 
Encounter such revolt. 

Imo. My lord, I fear. 
Has forgot Britain. 

lach. And himself Not I, 
Inclin'd to this intelligence, pronounce 
The beggary ef his change ; but 'tis your graces 

(1) This kind of ellipsis is common in these plays. What 
both you spur and stop at the poet means. 



34 CYMBEUNE. 

That, from my mutest conscience, to my tongue. 
Charms this report out. 

Lno. Let me hear no more. 

lach. A lady, 
So ra;r, and fasten''cl to an empery, (1) [ner'd 
Would make the i^reate^st king- double ! to be part- 
Wiih tomi oys, hir'd with that self-exhibition 
Which your own coffers yield ! — (2) 
Be rpveng- d , 

Or she th..t hore you was no qyeen, and you 
Recoil from your great stock. 

hno. Keveng'd ! 
How should I be reveng'd ? If this be true, — 
As 1 hivp such a heart, that both m ne ears 
M'lst not in haste abuse, — if it be true, 
How should I be reveng''d? 

lach. Should he make me 
Live like Diana''s prest betwixt cold sheets; 
Whiles he s vaulting variable ramps, 
In your despite? Revenge it. 
I d?d!cate rnyself to your sweet pleasure, 
More noble than that runagate tr) your bed; 
And will continue last to your atfi^ction, 
Stili close, as sure. (^fakes her hand.'^ 

Lno. V hat ho, Fisanio ! 

{Strngs;linq to get loose.^ 

lach. Let me my service ter.dnr on your lips. 

Jmo. Away ! (Throws him from her.) { do con- 
demn mine ears, that have 

(1) Empery i? a word signifying sovereign command, 
aow obsolete. 

(2) Gross strumpets, hired with the vert/ pension which 
you allow your husband. 



CYMBELINE. 35 

So long attended thee. — If thou wert honourable, 
Thou would'st have toid this tale for virtue, not 
For such an end thou seek'st ; as base, as strange. 
Thou wrong'st a gentleman, who is as far 
From thy report, as thou from honour; and 
Solicit'st here a lady, that disdains 
Thee and the devil alike. [Crosses toL.H.) What 

ho, Pisanio ! — 
The king my father shall be made acquainted 
Of thy asssault : if he shall think it tit, 
A saucy stranger, in his court, to mart 
As in a Romish stew, (1) 
He hath a court 
He little cares for, and a daughter, whom 

He not respects at all. What ho, Pisanio ! 

{Crosses to r.h.) 

lack. O happy Leonatus ! I may say ; 
The credit, that thy lady hath of thee, [ness 
Deserves thy trust ; and thy most perfect good- 
Her assur'd credit ! — Blessed live you long ! 
A lady to the worthiest sir, that ever 
Country calPd his! and you, his mistress, only 
For the most worthiest fit ! Give me your pardon. 
I have spoke this, to know if your affiance 
Were deeply rooted ; and shall make your lord. 
That which he is, new o'er : and he is one 
The truest manner'd, such a holy witch, 
That he enchants societies unto him ; 
Half all men's hearts are his. 

Imo. You make amends. 



(1) Romish was;, in the time of Shakspeare, used in- 
stead of Roman. 



36 CYMBELINE. 

lack. He sits 'mongst men, like a descended 
He hath a kind of honour sets him off, [god : 
More than a mortal seeming. Be not angry, 
Most mighty princess, that 1 have adventur'd 
To try your taking a false report ; 
The love I bear him [you, 

Made me to fan you thus ; but the gods made 
Unlike all others, chuffless. 'Pray, your pardon. 

Imo. All's well, sir : take my power 'i the court 
for yours. 

lach. My humble thanks. — I had almost forgot 
To entreat your grace but in a small request, 
And yet of moment too, for it concerns 
Your lord: myself, and other noble friends,^ 
Are partners in the business. 

Imo. 'Pray, what isH? 

lach. Some dozen Romans of us, and your lord. 
The best feather of our wing, have mingled sums, 
To buy a present for the emperor: 
Which I, the factor for the rest, have done 
In France : 'tis plate, of rare device ; and jewels 
Of rich and exquisite form; their values great; 
And I am something curious, being strange, (1) 
To have them in safe stowage : may it please you 
To take them in protection ? 

Imo. Willingly : 
And pawn mme honour for their safety: since 
My lord hath interest in them, I will keep them 
In my bedchamber. 

lach. I hey are in a trunk. 
Attended by my men : I will make bold 

(1) Being a stranger. 



CYMBELINE. 37 

To send them to you, only for this night ; 
I must aboard to-morrow. 

Imo. O, no, no. 

ladu Yes, I beseech ; or I shall short my word. 
By lengthening my reiurn. From Gallia 
I cross'd the seas on purpose, and on promise, 
To see your grace. 

Imo. I thank you for your pains. 
But not away to-morrow ? 

lach. O, I must, madam : 
Therefore I shall beseech you, if you please 
To greet your lord with writing, do't to-night : 
I have out-stood my time; which is material 
To the tender of our present. 

Imo. 1 will write. 
Send your trunk to me , it shall be safe kept, 
And truly yielded you : you are very welcome. 
[Exeunt, Imogen^ r.h, lachimo^ l.h. 

SCENE II. — An Antichamber to ImogenPs Apart' 
meht. 

Enter Cloten, Lockine, and Madan, r.h. 

Clot. Was there ever man had such luck ! 
when I kissed the jack upon an up cast, to be 
hit away! (I) 1 had an hundred pound on't: 
and then a whoreson jackanapes must take me 

(1) He is describing his fate at bowls. The jack is the 
small bowl at which the otheis aie aiu'Rcl. He who is 
nearest to it wins. To kiss the jack is a state of great ad- 
vantage. 

4 



38 CYMBELINE. 

up for swearing ; as if I borrowed my oaths of 
him, and might not spend them at my pleasure. 

Loc. (l.h.) What got he by that? You have 
broke his pate with your bowl. 

Mad. {Aside^ r.h.) If his wit had been like 
him that broke it, it would have run all out. 

Clot. When a gentleman is disposed to swear, 
it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaihs : 
ha? 

Mad No, my lord ; {Aside.) — nor crop the 
ears of them. 

Clot. Whoreson dog! — I give him satisfaction ? 
'Would he had been one of my rank ! 
A plague on't ! I had rather not be so noble as I 
am ; they dare not fight with me, because of the 
queen my mother: every jack-slave hath his 
belly full of fighting, and I must go up and 
down, like a cock that nobody can match. 

(Crosses to l.h.) 

Loc. It is not fit, your lordship should under- 
take every companion (1) that you give of- 
fence to. 

Clot. No, I know that : but it is fit, 1 should 
commit offence to my inferiors. 

(Crosses to Centre.) 

Mad. Ay, it is fit for your lordship only. 

Clot. VVhy, so I say. 

Mad. Here comes the king. 

(Locrine crosses to l.h.) 

(1) The use of companion was the same as of fellow 
now. It was a word of contempt. 



CYMBELINE. 39 

Enter Cymbeline and Queen, l.h. 

Clot. Good-ni^ht to your majesty, and gra- 
cious mother. [daughter ? 

Cym. Attend you here the door of our stern 
Will she not forth ? 

Clot. She vouchsafes no notice ; but I will as- 
sail her before morning with mask and music. 

('yin. The Exile of her minion is too new, 
She hath not yet forgot him ; some more t.me 
Must wear the print of his remembrance out, 
And then she's yours. 

Enter an Officer, and whispers Locrine, l.h. 

Queen, You are most bound to the king j 
Wlio lets go by no 'vantages, that may 
Prefer you to his daughter. 

Loc. So like you, sir, ambassadors from Rome, 
The one is Caius Lucius. 

Cym. A worthy fellow ; 
Albeit he comes on angry purpose now : 
But that s no fault of his. — Our dear son, 
When you have given good morning to your 

mistress, 
Attend the queen and us, we shall have need 
T' employ you towards this Roman. 
Betimes to-morrow we'll hear the embassy. 

[Exit the officer., l.h. 
Come, madam. [Exeunt Cymbeline and Queen, k.h. 

Loc. Did you hear of another stranger that's 
come to court to-night? 

Clot. Another stranger and I not know on't ? 

Mad. He's astranffe fellow himself, and knows 
it not 



40 CYMBELTNE. 

Loc. There's an Italian come, and, 'tis thought, 
one ofLeonafus' friends. 

Clot. Leonatus ! A banished rascal ; and he's 
another, whatsoever he be. Who told you of 
this stranjrer ? 

Lac. One of your lordship's pages. [there 

Clot. Is it fit, I went to look upon him ? Is 
no derogation in it ? 

Mad. ^ ou cannot derogate, my lord. 

Clot. Not easily, I think. 
Come I'll go see this Italian ; and, if he'll play, 
I'll game with him ; and to-morrow, with our 
Father, we'll hear the ambassador — Come, let's 

go- 
Loc I'll attend your lordship. [Exeunt.^ l.h. 

SCENE III. — hnogeri's Bedchamber. — In one Part 
of it a Trunk. 

Imogen reading in her bed ; Helen attending.^ seated. 

Into. Who's there? my woman Helen ? 

Hel. Please you, madam, — 

Imo. What hour is it ? 

Hel. \lmost midnight, madam. 

Imo. I have read three hours then : mine 
eyes are weak :— 
Fold down the leaf where I have left : to bed : 
Take not away the taper, leave it burning : 
And if thou canst awake by four o' the clock, 
I pr'ythee call me. Sleep hath seiz'd me wholly. 

fExit Helen.) r.h. 
To your protection I commend me, gods ! 
From fairies and the tempters of the night. 
Guard me, 'beseech you ! (Sleeps.) 



CYMBELINE. 41 

Iachimo comes out of the Trunk. 

lack. The crickets sing, and man's o'er-Ia- 
bour'd sense 
Repairs itself by rest : our Tarquin thus 
Did softly pt ess the rushes, ere he wakened 
The chastity he wounded. — Cytherea, 
How bravely thou becom'st thy bed ! fresh lily ! 
And whiter than the sheets ! That I might touch ! 
But kiss ; one kiss! — 

'Tis her breathing that [per 

Perfumes the chamber thus: the flame o'the ta- 
Bows towards her ; and would under-peep her 

lids, 
To see the enclosed lights now canopied 
Under these windows : (1) white and azure, lac'd 
With blue of heaven's own tinct. — But my de- 
sign ;— 
To note the chamber: — I will write all down : — 
(^Takes out his Tablets.) 
Such, and such, pictures : — there the wmdow : 

— such 
The adornment of her bed ; — the arras, figures, 
Why, such, and such : — and the contents o'the 

story,— 
Ah, but some natural notes about her body, 
Above ten thousand meaner moveables 
Would testify, to enrich mine inventory. 
O sleep, thou ape of death lie dull upon her! 
And be her sense but as a monument, 
Thus in a chapel lying ! — Come off, come off; — 
(Taking off her bracelet.) 
(1) Her eyelids, 
4 * 



42 CYMBELINE. 

As slippery as the Gordian knot was bard ! — 
'Tis mine ; and this will witness outwardly, 
As strongly as the conscience does within, 
To the madding of her lord. On her left breast 
A mole cinque-spotted, like the crimson drops 
i' the bottom of a cowslip : (1) here's a voucher, 
Stronger than ever law could make. — 
To what end ? 

Why should I write this down, that's riveted, 
Screw'd to my memory ? — She hath been read- 
ing late [down, 
The tale of Tereus ; here the leaf's turn'd 
Where Philomel gave up. — 1 have enough : 
To the trunk again, and shut the spring of it. 

{Goes into the Trunk.) 
Swift, swift, you dragons of the night ! (2) that 

dawning 
May bare the raven's eye : (3) I lodge in fear ; 
Though this a heavenly angel, hell is here. 

[Clock strikes.) 
One, two, three : — time, time ! (4) 

[The scene closes.) 

(1) Shakspeare was an observer of nature, though, in this 
instance, no very accurate describer of it, for the drops al- 
luded to are of a deep yellow. 

(2) The task of drawing the chariot of night was assign* 
ed to dragons, on account of their supposed watchfulness. 
The whole tribe of serpents sleep with theii eyes open, and 
therefore appear to exert a constant vigilance. 

(3) The poet means no more than that the light might 
wake the raven. It is well known that the raven is a very 
early bird, perhaps earlier than the lark. 

(4) Just before Imogen went to sleep, her attendant in- 
forms her it is almost midnight. lachimo, immediately 
after she has fallen asleep, comes from the trunk, and the 
present soliloquy cannot have consumed more than a few 
minutes, yet we are now told tbat it is three o'clock. 



aYMBELlNE. 43 

SCENE IV.— ^ Gallenj. 

Enter Cloten, Locrine, and Madan, l.h. and 
cross behind to r.h, 

Loc. Your lordship is the most patient man in 
loss, the coldest that ever turned up ace. 

Clot. It would make any man cold to lose. 

Loc. But not every man patient, after the no- 
ble temper of your lordship : you are most hot, 
and furious, when you win. 

Clot. Winning will pat any man into courage. 
If I could get this foolish Imogen, I should have 
gold enough : It's almost morning, is't not? 

Afad. Day, my lord. 

Clot. I would the masquers and musicians 
were come ; 1 am advised to give her music 
o'mornings ; they say, it will penetrate. 

{Ji Flourish of Music in the Orchestra.) 

Loc. Here they are, my lord. 

Clot. Come, let's join them. [Exeunt^ l.h. 

SCENE V. — An Antichamher to Imogen^s Apart- 
ment. 

Enter Cloten, Locrine, Madan, with Singers.^ l.h. 

Clot. Come on, tune first a very eycellent 
good conceiied thing, after a wonderful sweet air, 
with admirable rich words to it, and then let her 
consider. 



44 CYMBELINE. 

SONG. 

Hark ! hark ! the lark at heaven's gate sings, 

And Phoebus ''gins arise^ 
His steeds to water at those springs 

On chalic' d Jiowers that lies ; 
And winking Mary-buds begin 

To ope their golden eyes ; (1) 
With every thing that pretty bin^ 

My lady sweet arise ; 
Arise^ arise. 

Clot. So, get you gone : — (Gives them a purse.) 
— if this penetrate, 1 will consider your music 
the better, {-i) [Exeunt Singers., l.h. 

If it do not, it is a vice in her ears, which horse- 
hairs, and cats'-guts, nor the voice of eunuch to 
boot, can never amend. Leave us to ourselves. 
[Exeunt Locrine aud Madan^ l.h. 
If she be up, I'll speak with her; if not. 
Let her lifs still, and dream.-By your leave, ho ! — 

(Knocks^ R.H.) 
I know her wotpen are about her : what, 
If I do line one of their hands ? 'Tis gold 
Which buys admittance ; oft it doth ; yea, and 

makes 
Diana's rangers ftilse themselves, yield up 
Their deer to the stand of the stealer : and *tis 

gold [thief; 

Which makes the true man kill'd, and saves the 

(1) The marygold is supposed to shut itself up at sunset, 

(2) 1 will pay you more amply. 



CYMBELINE. 45 

Nay, sometime, hangs both thief and true man : 

what 
Can it not do, and undo? 1 will make 
One of her women lawyer to me ; for 
I yet not understand the ease myself. 
By your leave. [Knocks.^ r.h.d. 

Efiier Helen, r.h.d. 

Hel Who's there, that knocks ? 

Clot. A gentleman. 

Bel. No more ? 

Clot. Yes, and a gentlewoman's son. 

Hel That's more 
Than some, whose tailor's are as dear as yours, 
Can justly boast of: what's your lordship's plea- 
sure ? 

Clot. Your lady's person : is she r; ady ? 

Bel. Ay, to keep her chamber. 

Clot. There's gold for you ; sell me your good 
report. [you 

Hel. How ? my good name ? or to report of 
What I shall think is good ? — The princess-— 

Enter Imogen, r.h.d. 

Clot. Good-morrow, fairest sister : your sweet 
hand [Exi( Helen., r.h.d. 

Imo. Good-morrow, sir : you lay out too much 
pains 
For purchasing but trouble. 

Clot. Still, 1 swear, I love you. [me: 

Imo. If you but said so, 'twere as deep with 



4t> CYMBELINE. 

If you swear still, your recompense is still 
That I regard it not. 

Clot, his IS no answer. [silent, 

Imo. But that you shall not say I yield, being 
I would not speak. I pray you, spare me : 'faith. 
1 shall unfold equal discourtesy [mg^ 

To your best kindness: one of your great know- 
Should learn, bemg taught, forbearance. (1) 

Clot To leave you in your madness, 'twere 
my sin : 
I will not. 

Imo. Fools cure not mad folks. 

Clot. Do you call me fool ? 

Imo. As I am mad, I do : 
If you'll be patient, I'll no more be mad ; 
That cures us both. I am much sorry, sir, 
You put me to forget a lady's manners ; 
But 1, which know my heart, do here pro- 
nounce, 
By the very truth of it, I care not for you. 

Clot. The contract you pretend with that base 
wretch, 
(One, bred of alms, and foster'd with cold dishes, 
With scraps o' the court,) it is no contract, none. 

Imo Profane fellow ! 
Wert thou the son of Jupiter, and no more, 
But what thou art, besides, thou wert too base 
To be his groom. (^Crosses to l.h.) 

Clot, rhe south-fog rot him ! [come 

Imo. He never can meet more mischance, than 
To be but nam'd of thee. His meanest garment, 

(1) A man who is taught forbearance should learn it. 



CYMBELINE. 47 

That ever hath btit clipp'd his body, is dearer, 
In my respect, than all the hairs above thee. 
Were they ail made such men. {Crosses to r.h.) 
Clot. How now ? 

Imo. Pisanio ! {Misses her bracelet.) 

Clot. His garment ? Now, the devil — 

Enter Pisanio, r.h. 

Imo. To Helena my woman hie thee present- 
ly:_ 

Clot His garment ? 

Imo. I am sprighted with a fool ; (1) [man 
Frighted, and anger'd worse : — Go, bid my wo- 
Search for a jewel, that too casually 
Hath left mine arm ; (2) it was thy master's : 

'shrew me, 
If I would lose It for a revenue 
Of any king's in Europe 1 do think, 
I saw't this morning : confident I am. 
Last night 'twas on mine arm ; I kiss'd it then. 

Pis. 'Twill not be lost. 

Imo. I hope so : go, and search. 

[Exit Pisanio, r.h.d. 

Clot. You have abus'd me : — 
His meanest garment ? 
1 will inform your father. 

Imo. Your mother too : 

(1) I am haunted by a fool, as by a spright, Sprighted 
is a word that occurs in law tricks. 

(2) Accidentally fallen from my arm by my too great 
negligence. 



48 CYMBELINE. 

She's my good lady; (1) and will conceive, I 

hope, 
But the worst of me. So I leave you, sir. 
To the worst of discontent. [Ea;i7, r.h.d. 

Clot. I'll be reveng'd : — 
His meanest garment ? — Well. [Exit, l.h. 

END OF ACT II. 



ACT III. 



SCENE I. — Rome. — An Apartment in Philario's 
House. 

Enter Posthumus and Philario, l.h. 

Post. Fear it not, sir : I would, 1 were so sure 
To win the king, as 1 am bold, her honour 
Will remain hers. 

Phil. What means do you make to him ? 

Post. Not any; but abide the change of time ; 
Qnake in ihe present winter's state, and wish 
That iv^rmer days would come. In these fear'd 

hopes, 
I barely gratify your love ; they failing, 
1 must die much your debtor. 

(T; This is said ironically. Mi/ good lady is equivalent 
to my good friend. 



CYMBELINE. 49 

Phil. Your very g^oodness, and yonr company, 
O'erpays all I can do. liy fhis, your king 
Hitli heard of great Augustus: Caius Lucius 
Will do his comnuUsion throughly : and, I think, 
He'll grant the tribute ; or your countrymen 
W;ll look upon our Romans, whose remembrance 
Is yet fresh in their grief. 

Post 1 do believe 
(Statist (l) though I am none, nor like to be,) 
That this wAl prove a war ; our countrymen 
Are men more order'd than when Julius C.esar 
Smiled at their lack of skill, but found their cour- 
age 
Worthy his frowning at : their discipline. 
Now mingled with their courages, will make 

known 
To their approvers, (2) they are people, such 
That mend upon the world : — and more than 

that, 
They have a king, whose love and justice to them 
May ask, and have, their treasures, and their 
blood. [Crosses to L.H.) 

Phil. See ! lachimo ! 

Enter Iachimo, r.h. 

Post. The swiftest harts have posted you by 
land ; 
And winds of all the corners kissM your sails, 
To make your vessel nimble. 

(1) Statesman. 

(2) To those who try them, 

5 



50 CYMBELINE. 

Phil Welcome, sir. 

Post. 1 hope the briefness of your answer made 
The speediness of your return. 

lack. Your lady 
Is one of the fairest that I have look'd upon. 

Pest. And therewithal, the best; or let her 
beauty 
Look through a casement to allure false hearts, 
And be false with them. 

lach. Here are letters for you. 

(Crosses to Centre^ and gives Post, letters.") 

Post. Their tenour good, i trust. 

lach. 'Tis very like. 

[Posthiimus reads the letters.) 

Phil. Was Caius Lucius in the Britain court, 
When you were there ? 

lach. He was, my lord : — but I 
Left, ere I saw him. 

Post. All is well yet. — 
Sparkles this stone as it was wont? oris't not 
Too dull for your good wearing ? 

lach. If I have lost it, 
I should have lost the worth of it in gold. 
I'll make a journey twice as far, to enjoy 
A second night of such sweet shortness, which 
Was mine in Britain ; for the ring is won. 

Post. The stone's too hard to come by. 

lach. Not a whit, 
Your lady being so easy. 

Post. Make not, sir, 
Your loss your sport : I hope, you know that we 
Must not continue friends. 



CYMBELINE. h\ 

lack. Good sir, we must, 
If you keep covenant: had I not brought 
The knowledge (1) of your mistress home, I 

grant. 
We were to question further : but I now 
Profess myself the winner of her honour, 
Together with your ring; and not the wronger 
Of her, or you, having proceeded but 
By both your wills. 

Post. If you can make it apparent 
That you have tasted her in bed, my hand, 
And ring, is yours : if not, the foul opinion 
You had of her pure honour, gains, or loses, 
Your sword, or mine ; or masterless leaves both 
To who shall find them. 

lack. Sir, my circumstances, 
Being so near the truth, as I will make them. 
Must first induce you to believe : whose strength 
I will confirm with oath ; which, I doubt not. 
You'll give me leave to spare, when you shall 

find 
You need it not. 

Post. Proceed. 

lack. First, her bedchamber, — 
(Where, -I confess, 1 slept not ; but, profess, 
Had that was well worth watching ;) (2) — It was 

hangM 
With tapestry of silk and silver ; the story, 

(1") The word is here used in its scriptural acceptation : 
<* And Adam knew Eve his wife." 

(2) That which was well worth watching, or lying awake 

for. 



52 CYMBELINE. 

Proud Cleopatra, when she met her Roman j 
A piece of work 

So bravely done, so rich, that it did strive 
In workmanship and value. 

Post, This is trne; 
And this you might have heard of here, by me, 
Or by some other. 

lach. More particulars 
Must jiistifv my knowledge. 

Post. So they must. 
Or do yo ir honour injury. 

lach. The chimney 
Is south the chamber ; and the chimney-piece, 
Chaste Dian bathing- : never saw ' fig-ures 
So likely to report themselves: (l) the cutter 
Was as another nature, dumb ; (2; outwent her, 
Motion and breath left out. 

Post. This is a thinsf 
Which you might from relation likewise reap ; 
Beinz, as it is, much spoke of. 

lack. The roof o' the chamber 
With sfolden cherubins is fretted. 

Post. This is her honour ! [praise 

Let it be granted, you have seen all this, (and 
Be given to your remembrance,; the description 
Of what is in her chamber, nothing saves 
The wasrer you have laid. 

lach. Then, ifyou can, 

(1) So near to speech. The Italians call a portrait, 
when the likeness is rempiknble, a speaking piciurc. 

(2) The snilptor iras as vafi/re dumb ; he i^ave every 
thine th-^t nature gives, but breath and motion. In breath 
is included speech . 



CYMBELINE. 53 

Be pale : — (1) (Pulling out the bracelet,) 

I beg but leave to air this jewel : see ! — 
And now His up again. 

Post, Jove ! — 
Once more let me behold it : — (He shows it 

again.) — Is it that 
Which 1 left with her? 

lach.. Sir, (I thank her,) that : 
She stripped it from her arm ; I see her yet ; 
Her pretty action did outsell her gift, 
And yet enrichM it too : she gave it me, 
And said, she priz'd it once. 

(Gives Post humus the bracelet.) 

Post, May be, she plucii'd it off, 
To send it me. 

lach. She writes so to youV doth she ? 

Post. O, no, no, no ! 'tis true. — Here take this 
too ; 
(Crosses to centre^ and gives lachimo the ring.) 
It is a basilisk unto mine eye, 
Kills me to look on't: — let there be no honour, 
Where there is beauty ; truth, where semblance ; 

love. 
Where there's another man : the vows of women 
Of no more bondage be, to where they are made. 
Than they are to their virtues ; which is noth- 
ing :— 
O, above measure false ! (Crosses to l.h.) 

Phil. Have patience, sir, (Crosses to Centre,) 
And take your ring again ; 'tis not yet won : 

(1) If vou can, forbear to flush your cheek with rage. 
5* 



64 CYMBELINE. 

It iDHy be probable, she lost it ; or, 

Who knows if one of her women, being corrupted, 

Hath stolen it from her. 

Post. Very true ; 
And so, I hope, he came byU : [Crosses to Centre.) 

Back my rinj^ ;■ — 
Render to me some corporal sign about her, 
More evident than this; for this was stolen, 

lack. By Jtipiter, I had it from her arm. 

Post, Hark yon, he swears ; by Jupiter he 

swears [sure, 

'Tis true ; nay, keep the ring ; — His true : i am 

She could not lose it: her attendants are 

All sworn, and hono-urable : — they induc'd to 

steal it ! 
And by a strang-er ? — No ; he hath enjoy'd her j 
The cognizance (1) of her incontmency 
Is this, she hath bought the name of whore 
thus deariy. — (^Gives lacfiiino the bracelet.) 
There, take thy hire ; and all the fiends of hell 
Divfde themselves between you ! ( Crosses to l.h.) 

Phil. Sir, he j)at!ent : 
This IS not strong enough to be believ'd 
Of one persuaded well o' — 

Post. Never talk on't : 
She hath been colted by him. 

lack. If you seek (Crosses to Centre.) 

For further satisfying, under her breast 
(Worthy the pressing,) lies a mole, right proud 
Of that most delicate lodging: by my life 
I kissed it. 

(1) The badge, the token, the visible proof, 



CYMBELINE, 55 

Yoj] do remember 
This slain upon her? 

Post. Ay, and it doth confirm 
Another stain, as bi^ as bell can hold, 
Where thpre no more but it. 

lack. W;ll you hear more? 

Post. Spare your arithmetic ; never count the 
Once, and a million ! [turns j 

lac/i. ril be sworn, — 

Post. No swearins^: — 
If thou wilt swear thou hast not done't, thou liest ; 
And I will kill thee, if thou dost deny 
Tliou hast made me cuckold. 

lack. I will deny nothino:. 

Post. O, that I had her here, to tear her limb- 
meal ! 
I will a:o there, and do't ; i'the court ; before 
Her father: — Pll do somethmg — [Exit., l.ii. 

Phil. Quite besides 
The government of patience ! — You have won : 
Let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath 
He hath against himself. [(1) 

lach. With all my heart. [Exeunt., l.h. 

SCENE {{.-^Britain,— Jl Room of State.-^ 
(^Flourish oj" Drums and Trumpets.^ 

(Six British Oncers in the back ground., Locbine 
and Mai>an in the front., f.H. Cymbe* ine and 
the Queen in the centre., on the throne ; six 

(1) Turn his wrath to another ceurse^ 



56 CYMBELINE. 

Roman Oncers iii the back ground^ Cloten, 
Varus, and Lucius, in thefront^ l.h. 

Cym. Now say, what would Augustus Caesar 
with us ? 

Luc. When Julius Caesar 
Was m this Britain, 

And conquer"'d it, Cassibelan, thine uncle, 
(Famous in Caesar's praises, no whit less 
Than in his feats deserving it,) for him, 
A-nd his succession, granted Rome a tribute, 
Yearly three thousand pounds ; which by thee 
Is left untendered. [lately 

Queen. And, to kill the marvel, 
Shall he so ever. 

Clot. here be many Caesars, 
Ere such another Julius. Britain is 
A world by itself; and we will nothing pay 
For vvearinf;; our own noses. 
Tribute ? why siiould we pay tribute ? If Caesar 
can hide the sun from us with a blanket, or put 
the moon in his pocket, we will pay him tribute 
for light ; else, sir, no more tribute. 

Cym. You must know. 
Till the injurious Romans did extort 
This tribute from us, we were free : 
Say then to C&sar, 

Our ancestor was that Mulmutius, which 
Ordain'd our laws; whose use the sword of Caesar 
Hath too much mangled ; whose repair, and 

franchise, 
Shall, by the power we hold, be our good deed^ 
Though Rome be therefore angry. 



OYniBEL^NE. 57 

Imc. I am sorry, Cymbeline, 
Thit I atn lo pronounce Augustus Casar 
Thine enemy : 

Rpcpive it from me then : — war, and confusion, 
In Ca SHr's name pronounco i Vasn^t thee : look 
For fnry not to be resisted : — thus defied, 
I thank thee for myself. 

Cym. 'i'hou art welcome. Caius. 

{Cymbeline and Queen me.) 

Clot. His majesty bids you welcome. Make 
pastime with us a day or two lonarer : if you se« k 
us afterwards in other terms, you shall tino us 
in our salt-water g^irdle : if you beat ns out of it, 
it is yours; if you fall in the adventur<% our 
crows shall fare the better for you ; and there's 
an end. 

Luc. So, sir, 

Cym. I know your master's pieasiire, and he 

All the remain is, welcome. [mine: 

{Flourish of Drvms and Trumpe's l.h.) 

\^Exeuni^ Britoris r.h. Romans l.h. 

SCENE III. — .4?i Antichamber to Imogen's 
Apartment. 

Enter Pisanio, l.h. with Tpi^o Letters in his Hand. 

Pis. How ! of adultery ? Wherefore write you 
What monster's her accuser? — Leonatus ! [not 
O, master! what a strange infection 
Is fallen into thine ear? What talse Italian, 
As poisonous-tongu'd, as himde*!. h;ith prevaii'd 
On thy too ready hearin^^?— Disloyal? No: 



58 CYMBELINE. 

She's punish'd for her truth ; and undergoes, 

More goddess-like than wife-like, such assaults 

As would take in some virtue ( l)-0, my master ! 

Thy mind to her is now as low, as were 

Thy fortunes. — How ! that I should murder her? 

Upon the love, and truth, and vows, which I 

Have made to thy command ?-l, her ?-her blood ? 

If it be so to do good service, never 

Let me be counted serviceable. How look I, 

That I should seem to lack humanity, 

So TTiuch as this fact comes to ? [Reading the Let- 

DoH : the letter [ter.) 

That I have sent her^ by her own command 

Shall give thee opportunity : — O damn'd paper, 

Black as the ink that's on thee ! — 

Lo, here she comes. — {Puts up his letter.) 

I am ignorant in what I am commanded. (2) 

Enter Imogen, l.h. 

Imo. How now, Pisanio ? 

Pis. Madam, here's a letter from my lord. 

Imo. Who? thy lord? that is my lord? Leon- 
atus ? {Takes the letter.) 

You good gods. 

Let what is here contain'd relish of love, 
Of my lord's health, of his content! 
Good wax, thy leave : — bless'd be 
You, bees, that make these locks of counsel ■ 
Good new^, gods ! 

(1) To take in a town is to conquer it. 

(2) I am unpractised in the art of murder. 



CYMBELfNE. 59 

(Reading.) — Justice., and your father^s wrath, 
sliould he take me in his dominions., could not be so 
cruel to m*?, as you. O the dearest of creatures., 
woidd not even renew me with your eyes. Take 
notice., that I am in Cambria., at Milford-Haven : 
what your own love will., out of this., advise you., 
follow. So., he wishes you all happiness., that re- 
mains loyal to his vow^ and your., increasing in love., 

Leonatus Postiiumus. 
O, for a horse with wings !-Hear'st thou, Pisariic f 
He is at Milfbrd-Haven : read, and tell me 
How far 'tis thither. If one of mean aflairs 
May plod it in a week, why may not f 
Glide thither in a day ? — Then, true Pisanio, 
How tar is it 

To this same blessed Milford ? 
How may we steal from hence ? 
I pr'ythee, speak, 

How many score of miles may we well ride 
'Twixt hour and hour ? 

Pis. One score, 'twixt sun and sun, 
Madam, is enough for you ; and too much too. 

Imo. Why, one that rode to his execution, man. 
Could never go so slow : — 
But this is foolery :— 
Go, bid my woman feign a sickness ; say, 
She'll home to her father : and provide me, pre- 
A riding suit; no costlier than would fit [sently. 
A frankhn's (1) housewife. 

Pis. Madam, you're best consider, — 

p) A franklin is literally a. freeholder with a small estate. 
neither villain nor vassal. 



60 CYMBELINE. 

Imo. I see before me, man, nor here, nor here, 
Nor what ensues; but have a fog- in them, 
That I cannot look through. Away, I pr'ythee ; 

[Crosses to r.h.) 
Do as I bid thee : there's no more to say; 
Accessible is none but Milford way. 

[Exeunt ; Imo. r.h. Pis. l.h. 

^CENEW.— Wales.— Jl Cave on the Sea-shore. 

Enter Bej.a ius, Guiderius, and Arviragus, 
fro/u the Cave, l h.s.e. 

Bel. (in Centre.) A goodly day not to keep 

house, With such 
Whose root's as low as ours! See, boys: this gate 
Instructs you how to adore the heavens: and 

bows you 
To moraii>g\s holy office : the gates of monarchs 
Are arch'd so high, that giants may jet (1) 

through, 
Am] keep their impious turbands on, (2) without 
Good-morrow to the sun.— Hail, thou fair heaven ! 
We hou«^; i' the rock, yet use thee not so hardly 
As prouder livers do. 

Guid. (; .H.) & "irv. (r.h.) Hail, heaven ! 
Bel. Now, for our mountain sport : up to yon 

hiii, [si er, 

Your legs are young; I'll tread these flats. Con- 

(1) Strut, walk proudly. 

(2) The idi-a of a giant was among the readers of ro- 
mances, wlio w»:e almost all the readers of those times, 
always confounded with that of a Saracen. 



CYMBELINE. 61 

When you, above, perceive me like a crow, 
That it is place, which lessens, and sets off. 
And you may then revolve what tales 1 have 

told you. 
Of courts, of princes, of the tricks in war : 
This service is not service, so bein^ done, 
But being so allow'd : (1) to apprehend thus, 
Draws us a profit from all things we see : 
And often, to our comfort, shall we find 
The sharded beetle (2) in a safer hold 
Than is the full-wing'd eagle. 

Guid. Out of your proof you speak : we, poor 

unfledg'd. 
Have never wingM from view o' the nest ; nor 

know not 
What air's from home. Haply, this life is best, 
If quiet life be best ; sweeter to you. 
That have a sharper known ; well corresponding 
With your stiff age : but, unto us, it is 
A cell of ignorance ; travelling a-bed ; 
A prison for a debtor, that not dares 
To stride a Hmit. (3) 

Arv. What should we speak of, 
When we are old as you ? when we shall hear 
The rain and wind beat dark December, how, 

(1) In war it is not sufficient to do duty well, the advan- 
tage rises not from the act, but the acceptance of the act. 

(2) The beetle whose wings are enclosed within two dry 
husks or shards. The cases which beetles have to their 
wings, are the more necessary, as they often live under the 
surface of the earthy in holes, which they dig out by their 
own industry. 

(^) To overpass his bound. 
6 



62 CYMBELINE. 

In this our pinching cave, shall we discourse 
The freezing hours away ? We have seen nothing, 

Bel How you speak ! 
Did you but know the city's usuries, 
And felt them knowingly : the art o' the court, 
As hard to leave, as keep ; whose top to climb 
Is certain falling, or so slippery, that 
The fear's a? bad as falling ; the toil of the war, 
A pain that only seems to seek out danger 
r the name of fame, and honour. Which dies 

i' he search ; 
And hath as oft a slanderous epitaph. 
As record of fair act ; nay, many times, 
Doth ill deserve by doing well ; what's worse, 
Must court'sey at the censure : — O, boys, this 

story 
The world may read in me : my body's mark'd 
With Roman swords; and my report was once 
First wi^h the best of note : Cymbeline lov'd me ; 
And, when a soldier was the theme, m}' name 
Was not far off: then was I as a tree, 
Whose boughs did bend with fruit : but, in one 

night, 
A storm, or robbery, call it what you will. 
Shook down my mellow hangings, nay, my leaves^ 
And left me bare to weather. 

Quid. Uncertam favour ! [you oft,) 

Bel. My fault being nothing, (as I have told 

But that two villains, whose false oaths pre- 

vaiTd 
Before my perfect honour, swore to Cymbeline, 
I was confederate with the Romans : so, 
Follow'd my banishment; and, this twenty jrar^, 



CYMBELTNE. 63 

This rock, and these demesnes, have been my 

world : 
Where I have liv 'd at honest freedom ; paid 
More pious debts to heaven, than in all 
The fore end of my time. — But, up to the 

mountains : 
This is not hunters' language : — he, that strikes 
The venison first, shall be the lord o'the feast; 
To him the other two shall minister ; 
And we will fear no poison, which attends 
In place of greater state. Pll meet you in the 

vallies. 

\^Exeimt Guiderius and Arviragns^ r.h. 
How hard it is, to hide the sparks of nature ! 
These boys know little, they are sons to the king; 
Nor Cymbeline dreams that they are alive. 
They think, they are mine : and, though train'd 

up thus meanly [do hit 

r the cave, wherein they bow, their thoughts 
The roofs of palaces ; and nature prompts them, 
In simple and low things, to prince it, much 
Beyond the trick of others. '1 his Polydore, — 
The heir of Cymbeline and Britain, whom 
The king his father call'd Guiderius, — Jove ! 
When on my three foot stool I sit, and tell 
The warlike feats I have done, his spirits fly out 
Into my story : say, — Thus mine enemy fell ; 
And thus I set my foot on his neck ; even then 
The princely blood flows in his cheek, he 

sweats. 
Strains his young nerves, aud puts himself in 

posture [wal 

That acts my words. The younger brother, Cad- 



64 CYMBELINE. 

(Once, Arvirag-n*!,) in as like a figure. 
Strike? life into my speech, and shows much 
His own concf-ivinar. — [more 

[A Horn sounds at a distance, r.h.) 
Hnrk * the o;ame is roiis'd ! 

Cymheline ! heaven, and my conscience, knows, 
Thoii di '^st unjustly banish me : whereon. 

At three, and two years old, I stole these babes: 
'I'hr.kjn? to bar thee of succession as 
Thru retVst me of my lands. Enriphile, 
Thou wast their nurse : they took thee for their 

mother. 
And evprv day do honoiir to thy grave : 
Myself, Belariu'^, that am Morgan calFd, 
They take for naturil father 

( The Horn sounds again, r.h.) 
The game is up. [Exit, R.H. 

SCENE V. — Britain. — Jn Antichamher to Imo» 
gen''s Apart :ient. 

(^Flourish of Drums and Trumpds, L.H.) 

Enter Madan, Tymbeline, Queen, CLOTErf, 
Lucius V^arus, and Locrine, l.h. 

Cym. Thus far; and so farewell. 
Luc. Thanks, royal sir. 

1 am right sorry, that 1 must report ye 
My masters enemy. 

I desire of you 

A conduct over land, to Milford-Haven. 



CYMBELINE. 65 

Cym. My lord, you are appointed for that 
office ; {To Locrine.) 

The due of honour in no point omit : 
So, farewell, noble Lucius 

Luc Your hand, my lord. [To Cloten.) 

Clot. Receive it friendly : but from this time 
I wear it as your enemy. [forth 

Luc. Sir, the event 
Is yet to name the winner : fare you well. 

[Exeuiit Locrine^ Lucius^ and Varus ^ l.h. 

Queen. He goes hence frowning: but it ho- 
That we have given him cause. [nours us, 

Clot. 'Tis all'the better; 
Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it. 

Queen. 'Tis not sleepy busmess ; 
But must be lookM to speedily, and strongly. 

Cytn. Our expectation that it would be thus, 
Hath made us forward. But, my gentle queen. 
Where is our daughter ? she hath not appearM 
Before the Roman nor to us hath tender'd 
The duty of the day : she looks us like 
A thing more made of malice, than of duty ; 
We have noted it. — Call her betore us ; for 
We have been too slight in sufferance. 

[Exit Madan^ r.h.d. 

Queen, Royal sir, 
Since the exile of Posthumus, most retirM 
Hath her life been ; the cure whereof, my lord, 
'Tis time must do. 'Beseech your majesty, 
Forbear sharp speeches to her. 
6 * 



S6 CYMBELTNE. 



Enter Madan, r.h,d> 

Cym. Where is she, sir? How 
Can her cojjtempt be answer'd ? 

JUad. Fien!«e yon, sir, 
Her chambers are ail lock''d ; and there's no 
answer [make. 

That will bo ^)ven to the loud'st of noise we 

Queen. My lord, when last I went to visit her, 
Sh-' |»r jyM nrie to -^xcuse her keeping close ; 
Whereto coiistram'd by her intirmity, 
Siie should th it duty leave unpaid to you, 
Which daily she was bound to proffer: this 
She vvishM me to make known; but our great 
Made me to biame m memory. [court 

Cym er doors lock'd ? [1 fear, 

Not seen of late? Grant, heavens, that, which 
Prove false ' [fixeunt Cynbeline and Madan^ B..n, 

Queen. Son, I say, follow the kmg. 

Clot. {Crosses to r.h.; That man of hers, Pi- 
sano, her old servant, 
I have not seen these two days. 

Queen. Go, look after. — [Exeunt^ r.h. 

SCENE y\.— Wates.^A Wood. 

Enter Pisanio, and Imogen, poorly dressed, r.h.s.e. 

Imo. Thou told'st me, when we came from 
Was near at hand.— [horse, the place 

Pisanio ! Man ! — 
Where is Posthumus ? What is ia tbjr mind, 



CYMBELINE. 67 

That makes thee stare thus ? 
What's the matter ?— 

,„, , , , {Pisanio offers her a letter,) 

Why tender'st thou that paper to me ? 

If it be summer news, 

Smile to't before : if winterly, thou need'st 

But keep that countenance still. 

T,. . , „ , {Imogen takes the letter.) 

My husband's hand !— ^ 

Speak, man ; thy tongue 
May take off some extremity, which to read 
Would be even mortal to me. 

Pis. Please you, read ; 
And you shall find me,— wretched man !— a thing 
The most disdain'd of fortune. 

Imo. (Reads.)— -Thy mistress, Pisanio, hath 
played the strumpet in my bed; the testimonies 
whereof he bleeding in me. I speak not out of 
weak surmises ; but from proof as strong as my 
grief and as certain as I expect my revenge. That 
part, thou, Pisanio.must act for me, if thy faith 
be not tainted with the breach of hers. Let thine 
own hands take away her life : I shall ^ive thee op- 
portunities at Milford-Haven : she hath my letter 
Jor the purpose : where, if thou fear to strike, and 
to make me certain it is done, thou art the pandar 
to her dishonour, and equally to me disloyal. 

r>- Sr,^^^ *^"^^ overpowered to the earth.) 

Fts. VVhat shall I need to draw my sword? 

the paper 

Hath cut her throat already .-No, 'tis slander; 

Whose edge is sharper than the sword; whose 

tongue 
Out-?enoms all the worms of Nile ; whose breath 



68 CYMBELINE. 

Ride«! on the posting" winds, and doth beUe 
Ail corners of the world. — [Pisanio raises her.) 
What cheer madam ? 

Imo. False to his bed ! What ! is it, to be false, 
To lie in watch there, and to think on him ? 
To weep 'twixt clock and clock ? If sleep 

charge nature, 
To break it with a fearful dream of him. 
And cp}' myself awake ? That's false to his bed,- 
Is it? 

Pis. Alas, good lady ! 

Imo. I false ! 

Pis. Good madam, hear me. 

Imo. Come, fellow, be thou honest; [him, 
Do thou thy master's bidding : when thou seest 
A httle witness my obedience : look ! — 

(^Imogen draws fiis sword.) 
I draw the sword myself: — 

(^She gives him the sword.) 
Take it ; and hit 

The innocent mansion of my love, my heart: 
Fear not ; 't is empty of all things, but grief: 
Thy master is not there ; who was, indeed, 
The riches of it: do his bidding; strike. 
Thou may'st be valiant in a better cause; 
But now thou seem'st a coward. 

Pis. Hence, vile instrument ! 

(He throws away his sword.) 
Thou shalt not damn my hand. 

Imo. Come, here's my heart : 

Something's afore 't : — Soft, soft ; we'll no de- 
fence ; — {Taking letters from her bosom.) 
What is here ? 



CYMBELINE. 69 

The scriptures of the loyal Leonatus ? — 
All turn'd to heresy : — Away, away. 
(^Throws away the letters^ which Pisanio picks up.) 
Corrupters of my faith ! you shall no more 
Be stomachers to my heart : — 
'Pr'ythee, despatch : — {She kneels to him.) 
Thou art too slow to do thy master's bidding, 
When I desire it too. 

Pis. O gracious lady, 
It cannot be, 

But that my master is abus'd : 
Some villain, ay, and singular in his art. 
Hath done you both this cursed injury. 

Imo. Some Roman courtezan. 

Pis. No, on my life. — (Takes up his sword.) 
I Ml give but notice you are dead, and send him 
Some bloody sign of it ; for 't is commanded 
I should do so : you shall be miss'd at court, 
And that will well confirm it. • 

Imo. Why, good fellow, [live ? 

What shall I do the while ? Where bide ? How 
Or in my life what comfort, when I am 
Dead to my husband ? 

Pis'. If you'll back to the court, — 

Imo. No court, no father. 

Pis. If not at court. 
Then not in Britain must you bide.-Where then ? 

Imo. Hath Britain all the sun that shines? 
Pr'ythee, think. 
There 's livers out of Britain. 

Pis. I am most glad 
You think of other place. The embassador 
Lucius the Roman, comes to Milford-Haven 



70 CYMBELINE. 

To-morrow: now, if you could wear a mind 
Dark as your fortune is, 
You should tread a course 
Pretty, and full of view : yea, haply, near 
The residence of Posthunrius ; so nig"h, at least. 
That thoug'h his actions were not visible, yet 
Keport should render him hourly to your ear, 
As truly as he moves. 

hno. O, for such means! — 
Thousfh peril to my modesty, not death on't, 
I would adventure. ( ;) 

Pis. Well, then here 's the point : 
Yon must forget to be a woman ; change 
Comm: nd into obedience : — 
Forethmking" this, 1 have already fit 
CT is in my cloakbag,) doublet, hat, hose, all 
That answer to them: would you, in their serving, 
And with what imitation you can borrow 
From youth of such a season, 'fore noble Lucius 
Present yourself, desire his service, tell him 
Wherein vou are happy, (2) (which you'll make 

him know. 
If that his head have ear in music,) doubtless, 
With joy he will embrace you; for he 's ho- 
nourable, [abroad 
And, doubling that, most holy. Your means 
Yon have me, rich : (3 and I will never fail 
Beginning, nor supplyment. 

Imo. Thou art all the comfort 

(1) I would risque every thing but real dishonour, 

(2) Accomplished. 

(3) As for your subsistence abroad you may rely on me. 



J 



CYMBELINE. 71 

The gods will diet me with. — 

This attempt 

I am soldier to, (1) and will abide it with 

A prince's courage. [well ; 

Pis. Well, madam, we must take a short fare- 
Lest, being miss d, 1 be suspected of 
Your carriage from the court. {Crosses to r.h.) 

My noble mistress, 
Here is a phial ; I had it from the queen; 
What 's in 't is precious : if you are sick at sea, 
Or stomach-qualm'd at land, a dram of this 
Will drive away distemper. — To some shade, 
And fit you to your manhood : — may the gods 
Direct you to the best ! 

Imo. Amen : I thank thee. [Exeunt, R.p. 

END OF ACT III. 



ACT IV. 

SCENE l— Britain.— A Gallery. 

Enter Clotrn, l.ii. 

Clot. I love, and hate her : for she's fair and 
I love her ; but [royal, 

Disdaining me, and throwing favours on 
The low Posthumus, slanders so her judgment, 

^(1) I have enlisted and bound myself too. 



72 CYMBELINE. 

I will conclude to hate her ; nay, indeed, 
To be reveng'd upon her. — 

Enter Pisanio, r.h. and Crosses to l.h. 

Who is here ? — (^Cloten draws his sword.)-—' 
Ah, you precious pandar ! Villain, 
Where is thy lady ? In a word ; or else 
Thou art straightway with the fiends. 
Pis. O, good my lord ! 
Clot. Where is thy lady ? or, by Jupiter, 
1 will not ask again. Close villain, 
ril have this secret from thy heart, or rip 
Thy heart to find it. Is she with Posthumas? 

Pis. Alas ! my lord. 
How can she be with him ? When was she miss'd ? 

Clot. Where is she, sir ? 
Satisfy me home, — 
What is become of her? 

Pis. O ! my all-worthy lord ! 
Clot. All-worthy villain ! 
Speak, or thy silence on the instant is 
Thy condemnation and thy death. 

Pis. Then, sir. 
This paper is the history of my knowledge 
Touching her flight. {Presents a letter.) 

Clot. Let 's see't : — I will pursue her 

[Crosses to l.h.) 
Even to Augustus' throne. {Reads the letter.) 

Pis {Af-ide.) Or this, or perish. — 
She 's far enough ; and what he learns by this, 
May prove his travel, not her danger. 



CYMBELINE. 73 

I'll write to my lord, she's dead. O, Imogen, 
Safe may'st thou wander, safe return again ! 

Clot. Sirrah, is this letter true ? 

Pis. Sir, as I think. 

Clot It is Posthumus' hand ; I know't. — Sir- 
rah, if thou would'st not be a villain, but do me 
true service, — that is, what villainy soe'er I bid 
thee do, to perform it directly and truly, — I 
would think thee an honest man : thou shouid'st 
neither want my means for thy relief, nor my 
voice for thy preferment. 

Pis. Well, my good lord ? 

Clot. Wilt thou serve me ? 

Pis. Sir, I will. 

Clot. Give me thy hand; here's my purse. 
Hast any of thy late master's garments in thy 
possession ? 

Pis. I have, my lord, at my lodging, the same 
suit he wore when he took leave of my lady and 
mistress. 

Clot. The first service thou dost me, fetch 
that suit hither; let it be thy first service; go. 

Pis. I shall, my lord. [Exit^ r.h> 

Clot. [Reads.) Meet thee at Milford-Haven : 

Even there, thou villain Posthumus, will 1 kill 
thee. — i would, these garments were come. She 
said upon a time, that she held the very gar- 
ment of Posthumus in more respect than my no- 
ble and natural person. With that suit upon my 
back will I first kill him, and in her eyes : he 
on the ground, my speech of insultment ended 
on his dead body, and when my appetite hath 
dined, to the court I'll foot her home again.— 
7 



J74 CYMBELTNE. 

My revenge is now at Milford : — 'Would 1 had 
wings to follow it ! [Exit^ l.h. 

SCENE \\.— Wales.— A Cave on the Sea-shore. 

Enter Imogen, wi Boy's Clothes, r.h.s.e. 

hno. 1 see, a man^s life is a tedious one : 
I have tir'd myself: and for two nights together 
Have made the ground my bed. I should be sick. 
But that my resolution helps me. — Milford, 
When from the mountain topPisanio showed thee, 
Thou wast within a ken ; — two beggars told me, 
I could not miss my way: will poor folks lie, 
That have afflictions on them ? — What is this ? 
Here is a path to it : 'tis some savage hold : 
I were best not call ; 1 dare not call : yet famine, 
Ere clean it overthrow nature, makes it valiant. — 
Ho ! — who's here ? 
If any thing that's C'vil, speak. — 
Ho ! — No answer? then I'll enter. 
Best draw my sword; and if mine enemy fon't. 
But fear the sword like me, he'll scarcely look 
Such a foe, good heavens ! 
(^Imogen draxvs her sward and goes into the Cave.^ 

Enter Belabius. Guiderius, and Arviragus, r.h. 
{The two last carrying a Buck on their Spears, 
which they lay down at the side of the Cave.) 

Bel. {In the centre.) You, Polydore, have 
prov'd best woodman, (1) and 

(1) Hunter. 



CYMBELINE. 75 

Are master of the feast : Cadwnl, and I, 

Will plaj the cook, and servant: 

Come ; our stomachs 

Will make \v at''s homely, savoury: weariness 

Can snore upon the flint, when restive ( i ) s oth 

Finds the down pillow hard. -Now. peace be here, 

Poor house that keep'st thyself! 

( Goes towards the Caue.) 

Guid. (l.h.) I am throughly weary 

*^rv. (r. .) I am weak with toil, yet strong 
in appetite. [browse on that, 

Guid. There's cold meat i' the cave ; we'll 
Whilst what we have kill'd be cook'd. 

( They go towards the Cave.) 

Bel. Stay ; come not m : — 
But that it eats our victuals, I should think 
Here were a fairy. 

Guid. VV^hat's the matter, sir ? 

Bel. By Jupiter, an ansfel ! or. if not, 
An earthly i)aragon ! — Behold divineness 
No eider than a boy ! 

Enter Imogen, from the Cave. 

Imo. Good masters, harm me not : 
Before I enter'd here, 1 calfd ; and thonorht 
To have begg-'d, or bought, what 1 have look : 

good troth, [had fo! nd 

I have stolen nought ; nor would n(>t, thought t 
Gold strew'd o' the floor. Here's money for my 

meat ; 



(1) Restive in the present instance, T believe, means un« 
quiet, shitting its posture, like a resliva hoise. 



76 CYMBELINE. 

I would have left it on the board, so soon 
As I had made my meal ; and parted 
With prayers for the provider. 

Arv. Money, youth ? 

Guid. All gold and silver rather turn to dirt ! 
As 'tis no better reckon'd, but of those 
Who worship dirty gods. 

Imo. I see, you are angry : 
Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should 
Have died, had I not made it. 

Bel. Whither bound? 

Imo. To Milford-Haven, sir. 

Bel. What is your name ? 

Imo. Fidele, sir: I have a kinsman who 
Is bound for ^taly; he embark'd at Milford ; 
To whom being going, almost spent with hunger, 
I am fallen in this offence. (1) 

Bel. 'Pr'ythee, fair youth. 
Think us no churls ; nor measure our good minds 
By this rude place we live in. Well encounter'd ! 
'T is almost night : you shall have. better cheer 
Ere you depart ; and thanks, to stay and eat it. — 
Boys, bid him welcome. [Crosses to r.h.) 

Arv. I'll love him as my brother. 

[Crosses to Imogen.) 
And such a welcome as I'd give to him, 
After long absence, such is yours. 

Guid. Most welcome! {Crosses to Imogen.) 
Be sprightly, for you fall 'mongst friends. (Be- 
larius.^ Guiderius.^ and Arviragus whisper to- 
gether^ R.H.) 

(1) In, according to the ancient mode of writing, is here 
used instead of into. 



CYMPELINE. 17 

Into. {Aside^ 'Mongst friends! 
If 'rothers?— 'Would it had been so, that they 
had been my father's sons ! then had my pnz^ 
Been less ; and so, more equal ballasting 
To thee, Posthumus. 

Bel. He wrings at some distress, (l) 

Guid. nVould I could free't ! 

Arv. Or I ; whate'er it be, 
What pain it cost, what danger ! 

Bel Hark, boys! (^They retire a little together.) 

lino. Great men, 
That had a court no bigger than this cave, 
'J hat did attend themselves, and had the virtue 
W^hich their own conscience seaTd them, [gods ! 
Could not out-peer these twain. Pardon me, 
I'd change my sex to be companion with them, 
Since Leonatus, false — 

Bel. It shall be so.— 
Boys, we'll go dress our hunt — 

{Belarius advances to Imogen.) 
Fair youth, come in : [supp'd, 

Discourse is heavy, fasting ; when we have 
We'll mannerly demand thee of thy story, 
So far as thou wilt speak it. 

Guid Pr y, draw near. 

Arv. The night to the owl, and morn to the 
lark, less welcome. 

Imo. Thanks, sir. 

Arv. I pray, draw near. 
(Guid. and Arv. take up the Buck on their spears.) 
[Exeunt into the Cave, l.h.s.e. 

(1) Writhes with anguish. 
7* 



78 CYMBELINE. 

SCENE ill— Wales. — Jl Forest near the Cave, 

Enter Cloten, dressed as Posthumus, l.h. 

Clot. I am near to the place where they should 
meet, if Pisanio have mapp'd it truly, — how fit 
his garments serve me ! — Posthumus, thy head, 
which now is growing upon thy shoulders, shall 
within this hour be off; ihy mistress enforced; 
thy garments cut to pieces before thy face : — 
and, all this done, spurn her home to her father ; 
who may, haply, be a little angry for my so rough 
usage: but my mother, having power of his tes- 
tiness, shall turn all into my commendations. 
My horse is tied up safe : out, sword, and to a 
sore purpose ! Fortune, put them into my hand ! 
This is the very description of their meeting- 
place ; and the fellow dares not deceive me. 

[Exit^ R.H. 

SCENE IV.— Wales.—A Cave on the Sea-shore. 

Enter from the Cave., Belarius, Arviragus, 
Imogen, and Guiderius. 

Bel. You are not well: remain here in the 
cave ; 
We'll come to you after hunting. 

Arv. {To Imogen.) Brother, stay here : — 
Are we not brothers ? 

Imo. So man and man should be ; 
But clay and clay differs in dignity. 
Whose dust is both alike. — I am very sick. 



CYMBELINE. 79 

Guid. Go you to hunting, I'll abide with him. 
Imo. So sick I am not ;— yet i am not well ; 
Pray you, trust me here. 
Guid. Brother, farewell. 

[Crosses to Arviragus.) 
Imo. I wish ye sport. 

Arv. You health. —So please you, sir. (Bela- 
rius, Guiderius^ and Arviragus confer apart, r.h.) 
Imo. {Aside.) These are kind creatures. Gods, 
what lies 1 have heard ! 
Our courtiers say, all's savage, but at court. — 
I am sick still ; heart-sick : — Pisanio, 
I'll now taste of thy drug. {Drinks out ofthephial) 

Guid I could not stir him : 
He said, he was gentle, but unfortunate ; 
Dishonestly afflicted, but yet honest. 

Arv. Thus did he answer me ; yet said, here- 
I might know more, [after 

Bel. To the tield, to the field.— 
We'll leave you for this time ; go in, and rest. 

{Crosses to Imogen.) 
Arv. We'll not be long away. 
Bel. 'Pray, be not sick ; 
For you must be our house-wife. 

{Leads Imogen to the Cave.) 
Imo. Well, or ill, 
1 am bound to you. [Exit into the Cave. 

Bel. This youth, howe'er distress'd, appears, 
he hath had 
Good ancestors. 

Arv. How angel-like he looks ! 
Nobly he yokes a smiling with a sigh. 
Guid. 1 do note, 



80 CYMBELINE. 

That i^rief and patience, rooted in him both, 
Mingle their spurs (1) together 

Bel. it is great morning. Come; away. 
Clot. {Without., K.H.) What, shall I never find 

thiS place? 
Bil. Who's there? 

(^Belarius Guiderius and Arviragus retire.) 

Enter Cloten, r.h. 

Clot. 1 cannot find those runagates ; that villain 
Hath mocked me. [Lxit^ l.h. 

Bel. Those runagates ! — {They advance.) 
Means he not us? i partly know him ; 'tis 
Cloten, the son o' the queen. 1 fear some ambush. 

Guid. He is hut one : you and my brother search 
What companies are near: 'pray you, away ; 
Let me alone with him.— {Guiderius retires.) 
[Exeunt Belarms and Arviragus^ r.h. 

, Enter Cloten, l.h. 

Clot. Soft! What are you 
That fiy me thus? Some villain mountaineers? 
I have heard of such. — {Guiderius advances, r.h.) 
Thou art a robber, 
A law breaker, a villain : yield thee, thief. 

Guid. To whom? to thee ? What art thou? 
Have not I 
An arm as big as thine? a heart as big? 
Thy words, 1 grant, are bigger ; for I wear not 

(1) Spurs are the longest and largest leading roots of trees. 



CYMBELINE. 81 

My dagger in my mouth. (1) Say, what (hou art ; 
Why I should yield to thee ? 

Clot, Thou villain base, 
Know'st me not by my clothes ? 

Guid. No, nor thy tailor, rascal. 
Who is thy grandfather ; he made those clothes, 
Which, as it seems, make thee. 

Clot. Thou injurious thief. 
Hear but my name, and tremble. 

Guid. What's thy name ? 

Clot. Cloten, thou villain. 

Guid. Cloten, thou double villain, be thy name, 
I cannot tremble at it; were't toad, or adder, 

spider, 
'T would move me sooner. 

Clot. To thy further fear, 
Nay, to thy mere confusion, thou shalt know 
I'm son to the queen. 

Guid. I'm sorry for it : not seeming 
So worthy as thy birth. 

Clot. Art not afeard ? 

Guid. Those that I reverence, those I fear; 
the wise : 
At fools I laugh, not fear them. 

Clot. Die the death : 
When I have slain thee with my proper hand, 
I'll follow those that even now fled hence. 
And on the gates of Lud's town, set your heads : 
Yield, rustic mountaineer. [Exeiini.^ fightings h.n. 

Enter Belarius, and Arviragus, r.h. 

Bel. No company's abroad. 

{I) I fight not with my tongue. 



82 CYMBELINE. 

^rv. None in the world ; you did mistake him, 
sure. [of favour 

Bel. No ; time hath nothing blurr'd those imes 
Which then he wore ; the snatches in his voice, 
And burst of speaking, were as his: I am abso- 
'i was very Cloten. [lute, 

Arv. In this place we left them. — 
But see, my brother. 

Enter Guiderius, with Cloten^s Sword, l.h. 

Guid. This Cloten was a fool ; not Hercules 
Could have knockVl out his brams ; for he had 

Bel. V hat hast thou done ? [none. 

Guid. Cut off one Cloten's head. 
Son to the queen, after his own report; 
Who call'd me traitor, mountaineer; and swore, 
With his own sin2;-!e hand he'd take us in, (1) 
Displace our heads, where (thank the gods !) 

they grow. 
And set them on Lud's town. 

Bel. We are ail undone. [lose, 

Guid. vVhy, worthy father, what have we to 
But that he swore to take, our lives? The law 
Protects not us : then why should we be tender, 
To let an arrogant piece of flesh threat us,— 
Play judge, and executioner, all himself,— 
For we do fear the lavv?--^vV^hat company 
Discover you abroad? 

Be/. No Single soul 
Can we set eye on ; but, in all safe reason, 

(1) Conquer, subdue us« 



CYMBELINE. 8& 

He must have some attendants ; 

It is not probable he would come alone. — 

1 had no mind 

To hunt this day : the boy Fidele's sickness 

Did make my way long forth. (1) 

Guid. With his own sword, 
Which he did wave against my throat, Tve ta'en 
His head from him : i'll throw 't into the creek, 
Behind our rock ; and let it to the sea, 
And tell the fishes, he's the queen's son,Cloten : 
That s all I reck. [Exit^ l.h. 

Bel. I fear, t will be reveng'd : 
'Would, Polydore, thou hadst not done't ! though 
Becomes thee well enough. [valour 

Arv. 'Would I had done't ! 

Bel Well, 'tis done :— 
We'll hunt no more to-day, nor seek for danger 
Where there's no profit. — 
You and Fidele play the cooks: i'll stay 
Till hasty Polydore return, and bring him 
To dinner presently. 

Aro. Poor sick Fidele ! 
ril .villingly to him: to gain his colour, (2) 
I'd let a parish of such Cloten's blood, (3) 
And praise myself for charity. 

[Exit into the Cave, 

Bel. O ! thou goddess, 

(1) Fidele's sickness made my xoalk forth from the cave 
tedious, 

(2) Restore him to the bloom of health, to recal the col- 
eur of it to his cheeks. 

{^) I would let blood (or bleed,) a whole parish, or any 
number, of such fellows as Cloten, 



84 CYMBELINE. 

Thou divine nature, how thyself thou blazon'st 
In these two princely boys! They are as gentle 
As zephyrs, blowing below the violet, 
j!'^ot wagging his sweet head ; and yet as rough, 
Their royal blood enchaf'd, as the rud'st wind, 
That by the top doth take the mountain pine, 
And make him stoop to the vale. 'Tis wonderful, 
That an invisible instinct should frame them 
To royalty unlearn'd ; honour untaught ; 
Civility not seen from other : valour, 
That wildly grows in them, but yields a crop 
As if it had been sow'd ! Yet still it's strange, 
What Cloten's being here to us portends ; 
Or what his death will bring us. 

Enter Guiderius, l.h. 

Guid. Where's my brother ? 
I have sent Cloten's clotpoll down the stream, 
In embassy to his mother; his body's hostage 
For his return. (Solemn music in the Cave^ l.h.) 

Bel. My ingenious instrument ! — 
Hark, Polydore, it sounds ! But what occasion 
Hath Cadwal now to give it motion ? — 

Guid, Since death of my dear'st mother, 
It did not speak before. All solemn things 
Should answer solemn accidents. 

Enter Arvira.gvs from the Cave. 

BeL Look, — here he comes. 
Arv. The bird is dead. 
That we have made so much on. I had rather 



I 



CYMBELINE. 85 

Have skipped from sixteen years of age to sixty, 
Than have seen this. 

Guid. O sweetest, fairest lily ! 
And art thou gone, my poor Fidele? — 

Bel. What ! is he dead ? How found you him ? 

Jlrv. Stark: (1)— smiling, as some fly had 
tickled slumber ; 
Not as death's dart, being laughed at : his right 
Reposing on a cushion. [cheek 

Gwd. Where ? 

Arv. O' the floor ; 
His arms thus leaguM : I thought, he slept. 

[The Boys weep.) 

Bel. Great griefs, I see, medicine the less: 
for Cloten 
Is quite forgot. He was a queen's son, boys ; 
And, though he came our enemy, remember, 
He was paid for that : 
Our foe was princely : 

And though you took his life, as being our foe, 
Yet bury him as a prince. Go, bring your lily.- 
[Exeunt Guid. and Arv. into the Cave. 
O, melancholy ! 

Who ever yet could sound thy bottom ? find 
The ooze, to show what coast thy sluggish 

crare (2) 
Might easiliest harbour in ? {Music again., l.h.) 
Thou blessed thing! [but, — ah! — 

.love knows what man thou might'st have made ; 
Thou died'st, a most rare boy of melancholy. — 

(1) Stiff. 

(2) Ji crare is a small trading vessel, called in the Latin 
of the middle ages crayera. 

8 



86 CYMBELINE. 



Enter Guidertus and Arviragus from the Cave, 
hearing Imogen''s body. 

Come, let us lay the bodies each by each, 

{Crosses to l.h.) 
And strew them o'er with flowers; and on the 
Sbcill the earth receive them. [morrow^ 

Arv. Sweet Fidele I 
Fear no more the heat o' the sun, 

Nor the turious winter's blast; 
Thou thy worldly task hast done, 

And the dream of lite is past. 

Guid. Monarchs, sages, peasants, must 
Follow thee, and come to dust. 
[Exeunt Bel. and the Boys^ l.h. hearing the hody. 

SCENE Y .—Britain.— A Gallery. 

Enter Cymbe.^ine, -Tadav, and Pisanio, in tht 
custody of Ojfficers., r.h. 

Cym. Again ; and bring me word, how the 
queen does. — [Exit an officer^ r.h. 

A fever with the absence of her son! [ens, 

A madness, of which her life's in danger! — Heav- 
How deeply you at once do (ouch me 1 — Imogen, 
The great part of my comfort, gone ; my queen 
Upon a desperate bed ; and in a time 
When fearful wars point at me ; her son gone. 
So needful tor this present: it strikes me, past 
The hope of comfort. — But for thee, fellow, 

{To Pisanioy l.h.) 



CYMBELINE. 87 

Who needs must know of her departure, and 
Dost seem so ignorant, we'll enforce it from the-e 
By a sharp torture. 

Pis. Sir, my life is yours, 
1 humbly set it at your will. 

Mad. Good my liege, 
The day that she was missing, he was here ; 
I dare be bound, he s true, and shall periorm 
All parts of his subjection loyally. 
For Cloten, — 

There wants no diligence in seeking him; 
He will, no doubt, be found. 

Cym. he time is troublesome : — 
We'll slip you for a season ! but our jealousy 
Does yet depend. (1) (^Pisanio retires a little.) 

Enter Locrine, l.h. 

Loc. So please your majesty, 
The Romans legions, all from Gallia drawn, 
Are landed on your coast. 

Cym. Now for the counsel of my son, and 
Let's withdraw ; [queen .' 

And meet the time, as it seeks us. We fear not 
What can from Italy annoy us ; but 
We grieve at chances here. — Away — 

[Exeunt Cym. Mad. Loc. and Cfficers.) l.k. 

Pis. I heard no letter from my master, since 
I wrote him, Imogen was slam: (2) 'tis strange : 

(1) My suspicion is j^et undetenniner] ; if I do not con- 
demn you, I likewise have not acquitted you. We now 
say, the cause is depending. 

(2) This might have been a phrase in Shaiipspeaie's time. 
"We yet say — I iiave not heard a syllable from him. 



88 CYMBELINE. 

Nor hear I from my mistress, who did promise 
To 3'ield me often tidings : neither know I 
What is betid to Cloten : but remain 
Perplexed in all. The heavens still must work : 
Wherein I'm false, I'm honest ; not true, to be 

true. (1) 
These present wars shall tind I love my country, 
Even to the note o' the king, (2) or I'll fall in 

them. 
All other doubts, by time, let them be clear'd : 
Fortune brings in some boats, that are not steer'd. 

[Exit^ L.H. 

SCENE V\.— Wales.^A Forest near the Cave. 

Imogen and d oten discovered^ laying on a Bank 
strewed zvith Flowers. 

lino. (Azvakes.) Yes, sir, to Milford-Haven : 
which is the way? [thither? 

I thank you. — By yon bush? — 'Pray, how far 
'Ods pittikins ! (3) — can it be six miles yet? — 
I have gone all night : — 'faith. Til lie down and 
sleep. — {Seeing the body.) 

But, soft ! no bedfellow :-0, gods and goddesses ! 
These flowers are like the pleasures of the world; 
This bloody man, the care on't.-I hope, 1 dream ; 

(1) To 6e, are an interpolation, which to prevent an ellip- 
sis, ha? destroyed the measure. 

(2) I will so distinguish myself, the king shall remark my 
valour. 

(3) ''Ods pittikins. — This phrase is derived from Cod's 
my pity. 



CYMBELINE. 89 

For, so, I thought I was a cavo-keeper, 

And cook to honest creatures. 

Good faMh, 

1 tremble still with fear: but if there be 

Yet left in he ven as small a drop of" pity 

As a wren's eye, tbarVl gods, a part of it! 

The dream s here still: even when I wake, it i^: 

Without me, as withm me: not imaginM, felt. — 

A headle«s man I — The garments of Posthumus !- 

O, he is murder'd ! — 

Pisanio, — 

'Tis thou, conspiring with that devil, Cioten, 

Hast here cut olf my lord. — ' 1 is he ; — [ous 

The drug he gave me, which, he said, was preci- 

And cordial to me, have 1 not found it [home : 

Murd'rous to the senses? ') hat confirms it 

This IS i'isanio's deed, and Cloten's: O ! — 

All curses madded Hecuba gave the Greeks, 

And mine to boot, be darted on them ! — , 

O ! my lord ! my lord ! — {Sinks on the body.) 

{A March.) 

Enter Lucjus, Vahus, Six Roman Oncers, Stan- 
dard^ and s'-welve Soldiers, k.h. 

Var. "^rhe senate hath stirr'd up the confiners, 
And gentlemen oi Italy ; most willing spirits, 
That promise noble service ; and they come 
Under the conduct of bold lachimo, 
Sienna's brother. 

Luc When expect you them ? 

Var. With the next benefit o' the wind 

Iaic. This forwardness 
8 * 



90 CYMBELINE. 

Makes our hopes fair. — 
Soft, ho ! what trunk is here 

{Varus crosses behi..J. in l.h.) 
Without his top ? — Fhe ruin speaks, that some- 
time 
It was a worthy huildinsf. How! a page ! — 
Or dead, or sleepino^ on him ? out dead, rather; 
For nature doih abhor to make his bed 
With the defunct, or sleep upon the dead. — 

{Varus takes Imogen'' s hand.) 
Let's see the boy's ff.ce. 

Var. He is alive, my lord. 

hue. HeMl then instruct us of this body. — 
( Varus raises Imogen.) 
Yonn^ one, {Lucius leads her forward.) 

Inform us of thy fortunes; for, it seems, 
They crave to be demanded : who is this 
Thou mak'st thy bloody pillow ? 
What's thy interest 

In this sad wreck ? How came it ? Who is it ? 
What art thou ? 

Lno. \ am nothing : or, if not. 
Nothing to be were better. This was my master, 
A very valiant Briton, and a good. 
That here by mountaineers lies slain :-~Alas ! 
There are no more such masters. 

Luc. 'Lack, good youth ! 
Thou mov'st no less with thy complaining, than 
Thy master in bleeding : say, — thy name, good 

Imo. Fidele, sir, [boy ? 

Luc. Thy name well fits thy faith : — 
Wilt take thy chance with me ? I will not say. 
Thou Shalt be so well master'd ; but, be sure, 



CYMBELINE. 91 

No less belov'd. — 

Go with me. [the gods, 

Imo. I'll follow, sir. But, first, 'an't please 
I'll hide my master from the flies, as deep 
As these poor pick-axes (1) can dig- : and, when 
With wild wood-leaves and weeds I have strew'd 

his grave, 
And on it said a century of prayers. 
Such as I can, twice o'er, I'll weep and sigh; 
And, leaving so his service, follow you, 
So please you entertain me. 

[She hangs over the body.) 
Luc. Ay, good youth ; 
And rather father thee, than master thee. 
My friends, 

The boy hath taught us manly duties : let us 
Find out the prettiest daizied plot we can, 
And make him with our pikes and partizans 
A grave. — Come, arm him.— (2) 

(^Soldiers go to the body.) 
Boy, he is preferred 
By thee to us: and he shall be interr'd 
As soldiers can. — Be cheerful ; wipe thine eyes : 
Some falls are means the happier to arise. 

{A March in the Orchestra.) 
Lucius and Varus lead off Imogen^ l.h. Offi- 
cers following — Standard in front of the 
body — the other Soldiers surround it^ and 
the front drop closes them in. 

(1) Meaning her hands. 

(2) Take him in your arms. 

END OF ACT IV. 



k 



^2 CYMBELINE. 

ACT V. 

SCENE I.— Wales.— A Forest near the Cave. 
{Drums and Trumpets heard at a distance.) 

Enter Guiderius, Belarius, and Arviragus, l.h. 

Guid. The noise is round about us. 

Bel. Let us from it . 
We'll higher to the mountains: there secure us. 
To the king's party there's no going ; newness 
Of Ciotens death (we being not known, nor 

muster'd 
Among the bands,) may drive us to a render (1) 
Where we have Uv'd ; and so extort from us 
That which we have done, whose answer (2) 

would be death, 
Drawn on with torture. 

G'tid. This is, sir, a doubt, 
In such a time, nothing becoming you, 
Nor satisfying us. 

Arv. It is not likely, 
That, when they hear the Roman horses neigh. 
Behold their quarter'd fires, (3) have both their 
And ears so cloyM importantly as now, [eyes 

(1) An account of our place of abode. 

(2) The retaliation of the death of Cloten, would be 
death. 

(3) Fires regularly disposed. 



CY^MBELINE. 93 

That they will waste their time upon our note, 
To know from whence we are. 

Bel. O, I am known 
Of many in the army : 
And, besides, the king 
Hath not deserved my service nor your loves 

Quid. 'Pray, sir, to the army : 
I and my brother are not known ; yourself, 
So out of thought, and thereto so o'ergrown, 
Cannot be questioned. 

Aj^v. By this sun that shines, 
I'll thither: what thing is it, that 1 never 
Did see man die? scarce ever look d on blood, 
But that of coward hares, hot goats, and venison ? 
I am asham-d 

To look upon the holy sun, to have 
The benefit of his bless'd beams, remaining 
So long a poor unknown. 

Guid. By heavens, I'll go : 
If you will bless me, sir, and give me leave, 
I'll take the better care ; but if you will not, 
The hazard therefore due fall on me, by 
The hands of I omans ! 

Arv. So say I ; amen. 

Bel. No reason I, since on your lives you set 
So slight a valuation, should reserve [hoys : 
My crack'd one to more care. Have with you, 
If in your country wars you chance to die, 
That is my bed too, lads, and there Til le. 

[Exeunt, r.b. 



QA CYMBELINE. 



SCENE U.— Wales.— A Plain between the Bri- 
tish and Roman Camps. 

(^Flourish of Drums and Trumpets^ r.h.u.e.) 

Enter Posthumus, l.h. disguised as a Peasant^ 
having in his hand a handkerchief stained 
with blood. 

Post. Yea, bloody cloth, (1) I'll keep thee; 

for I wish'd [ones, 

Thou should'st be coloured thus. You married 
if each of you would take this course, how many 
Must murder wives much better than themselves, 
For wrying but a little ! — O, Pisanio ! 
Every good servant does not all commands : 
No bond, but to do just ones. — Gods ! if you 
Should have ta'en vengeance on my faults, I 

never 
Had liv'd to put on (Sf) this ; so had you sav'd 
The noble Imogen to repent: and struck 
Me, — wretch ! — more worth your vengeance. — 
But Imogen is your own; do your best wills, 
And make me bless'd to obey ! — I am brought 

hither 
Among the Italian gentry, and to fight 
Against my lady's kingdom ; His enough 

(1) The bloody token of Imogen's death, which Pisanio. 
in the foregoing act, determined to send. 

(2) To incite, to instigate. 



CYMBELINE. && 

Tha-t, Britain, I have kilPd thy mistress ; peace ! 
V\\ give no wound to thee. Therefore, good 

heavens, 
Hear patic ntly my purpose ; I have conceal'd 
My Italian weeds, under this semblance of 
A Briton peasant : so IMl fight 
Against the part I come with ; so I'll die 
For thee, O Imogen ; even for whom my life 
Is, every breath, a death : and thus, unknown, 
Pitied nor hated, to the face of peril 
Myself ril dedicate. — 

(^Flourish of Drums and Trumpets^ r h.) 
Gods, put the strength o' the Leonati in me ! — 
Let me make men know 
More valour in me, than my habits show. 

(^Flourish of Drums and Trumpets, r.h.) 

[Exit^ R.H. 

SCENE m.— The field of Battle. 

{Alarums^ r.h. and l.h. — An engagement between 
the Britons and the Romans. — The Britons are 
repulsed.) 

Enter Iachimo a7id PosTnvmvs fighting. — lachimo 
is disarmed. — r.h.u e. 

Post. Or yield thee, Roman, or thou diest. 
lach. Peasant, behold my breast. 
Post. No : take thy life, and mend it. 

[Exit^ R.H, 
lach. The heaviness and guilt withm my 
bosom. 



9G CYMBELINE. 

Takes off my manhood : I have belied a lady, 
The princess of this country, and the air on't 
Revengingly enfeebles me ; or could this 

carl, (1) 
A very drudge of nature's, have subdu'd me 
In my profession? Knighthoods and honours, 

borne 
As r wear mine, are titles but of scorn. 
With heaven against me, what is sword or 

shield? 
My guilt, my guilt o'erpowers me, and I yield. 

[Exit, L,H. 

SCENE IV.— ^ Forest. 

Enter Pisanio, a7id Madan, l.h. 

Mad. This is a day turn'd strangely. 
Cam'st thou from where they made the stand? 

Pis. 1 did : 
Though you, it seems, come from the fliers. 

Mad. I did. 

Pis. No blame be to you, sir ; for all was lost, 
But that the heaven's fought : the king himself 
Of his wings destitute, the army broken, 
And but the backs of Britons seen, all flying 
Through a straight lane : the enemy full hearted, 
Lolling the tongue with slaughtering, struck 
down [ing 

Some mortally, some slightly touch'd, some fall- 

(1) Clown, or husbandman. 



CYMBELINE. 97 

Merely thro' fear ; that the strait pass was 

damtn'd 
With dead men, hurt behind, and cowards living 
To die with lengthened shame. 

Mad. Where was this lane ? [with turf; 

Pis. Close by the battle, ditch'd, and wall'd 
Which gave advantage to an ancient soldier ;— 
(An honest one, I warrant ;) — athwart the lane, 
He with two striplings, (lads, more like to run 
The country base (I), than to commit such 

slaughter,) [''- Stands- 

Made good the passage ; cry'd to the fliers, 
" Or we are Romans^ and will give you that 
^^ Like beasts, which you shun beastly., and may save^ 
'^ But to look back and frown : stand, stand.'''' — 

These three — 
Mad. Were there but three ? [h.jbit, 

Pis. There was a tburth man, in a poor rustic 
That stood the front with them. The matchless 

four. 
Accommodated by the place, gilded pale looks : 
Part, shame, part, spirit renew'd ; that some, 

turn'd coward 
But by example, 'gan to look 
The way that they did, and to grin like lions 
Upon the pikes o' the hunters. Then began 
A stop i' the chaser, a retire ; anon, 
A rout, confusion thick ; and the event 
A victory for us. 
Mad. This was strange chance.— 

(1) A rustic game, called prison-bars, vulgarly prison- 
base. 

9 



98 CYMBELINE. 

An old man, two boys, and a poor rustic ! [see 
Pis. Nay, do not wonder : — go with me, and 
These wonders, sir, and join the general joy. 

[Exeunt^ r.h. 

SCENE v.— Another Part of the Forest. 

Elder Posthumus, disguised as a Roman^ l.h. 

Post. To day, how many would have given 
their honours 
To have sav'd their carcasses ? took heel to do't, 
And yet died loo?-I,in my own woe charm'd, (1) 
Could not tind death, where 1 did hear him groan ; 
Nor feel him, where he struck. — 
Well, 1 will find him: 
No more a Briton, I have resum'd again 
The part 1 came in : fight I will no more. 
But yield me to the veriest hind, that shall 
Once touch my shoulder. Great the slaughter is 
On either side. For me, my ransom's death : 
On either side 1 come to spend my breath ; 
Which neither here I'll keep, nor bear again, 
But end it by some means for Imogen. 

Enter Madan, Locrjne, and two British Sol- 
diers^ L.H. 

Loc. Great Jupiter be prais'd ! Lucius is taken : 
'Tis thought, the old man and his sons were an- 
gels. 

(1) Alluding to the common superstition of charms being 
powerful enough to keep men unhurt in battle. 



CYMBELINE. 99 

Mad. There was a fourth man, in a peasant's 
That gave the affront with them. (1) [habit, 
Loc. Stand ! Who is there ? 
Post. A Roman ; 
Who had not now l3een drooping here, if seconds 
Had answer'd him. 

Mad. Lay hands on him ; a dog ! — 
A leg of Rome shall not return to tell 
What crows have peck'd them here : he brags 
his service, (^Crosses to r.h.) 

As if he were of note ; — bring him to the king. 
(^Flourish of Drums and Trumpets^ l.h.) 

[Exeunt leading away Posthiunus^ r.h.) 

SCENE Vl.^Cymbeline's Tent. 
{Flourish of Drums and Trumpets., l.h.) 

Cymbeline, Belarius, Guiderius, Arviragus, 
PiSANio, British Officers., and Soldiers.^ discovered. 

Cym. Stand by my side, you, whom the gods 
have made 
Preservers of my throne. Woe is my heart, 
That the poor soldier, that so richly fought. 
Whose rags sham'd gilded arms, whose naked 

breast 
Stepp'd before targe of proof, cannot be found • 
He shall be happy that can find him, if 
Our grace can make him so. 

Bel, I never saw 

(1) Came face to face. 



100 CYMBELINE. 

Such noble fury in so poor a thing. 

Cym. ( To Pisanio ) No tidings of him ? 
Pis. He hath been search'd among the dead 
But no trace of him. [and living, 

Cym. To my grief, I am 
Thf» heir of his reward ; which I will add 
To jou, the liver, heart, and brain of Britain : 

[To Belarius^ Guiderius^ and ^rviragns.) 
By whom, I grant, she lives : 'tis now the time 
T • a-^k of whence you are : — report it. 

Bel. Sir, 
In Caral)ria are we born, and gentlemen : 
Further to ho>«st, were neither true nor modest ; 
Unless I add, we are honest. 

Cy/n. Bow your knees : {T^^^y kneel.) 

Arise my knights o"' the battle ; I create you 

( Touches their shoulders with his sword.) 
Companions to our person, and will fit you 
With dignities becoming your estates. 

[Flourish of Drums and Trumpets^ l.h.) 

Enter Madan, Locrine — then in chains^ Iachimo, 
Lucius, I'Ogen, Varus, Roman Oncers., and 
PoSTHU us behind., guarded by British Soldiers^ 
R.H.u.E. — The Prisoners advance., r.h. 

Thou com'st not, Caius, now for tribute ; that 
Britons have raz'd out, though with the loss 
Of many a bold one ; whose kinsmen have made 
suit, [slaughter 

Thai their sfood souls may be appeas'd with 
O*" von ther captives, which ourself have grant- 
So think of vour estate. [ed : 
Luc. Consider, sir, the chance of war ; the day 



CYMBELINE. 101 

Was yours by accident ; had it g-one with us, 
We should not, when the blood was cool, have 
threaten'd [gods 

Our prisoners with the sword. But, since the 
Will have it thus, that nothing but our lives 
May be calPd ransom, let it come : sufficeth, 
A Roman with a Roman s heart can suffer : 
Augustus lives to think on't : and so much 
For ray peculiar care. This one thing only 
I will entreat ; my boy, (^Pointing to Imogen) a 

Briton born, 
Let him be ransom'd : never master had 
A page so kind, so duteous, diligent : 
He hath done no Briton harm, 
Though he have serv'd a Roman : save him, sir, 
And spare no blood beside. 

Cym. I have surely seen him ; 
His favour (1) is familiar to me. — 
Boy, thou hast looked thyself into my grace. 
And art mme own. I know not why, nor where- 
fore. 
To say, live, boy : — ne'er thank thy master ; live : 
And ask of Cymbeline what boon thou wilt. 
Fitting my bounty, and thy state. Til give it; 
Yea, though thou do demand a prisoner, 
The noblest ta-en. — {Imogen looks at lachimo.) 
Know'st him thou look'st on ? speak, 
Wilt have him live ; is he thy kin ? thy friend ? 

Imo. He is a Roman ; no more kin to me. 
Than I to your highness ; who, being born your 
Am something nearer. [vassal, 

(1) Countenance. 
9* 



102 CYMBELINE. 

Cym. Wherefore ey'st him so ? 

Imo. ril tell you, sir, in private, if you please 
To s;ive me hearinsf. 

Cym. Av, with all my heart : 
Walk with me ; spe^k freely. 

(^Cymbeline and Imogen retire a little.) 

Bel. Is not this hoy reviv'd from death ? 

Arv One sand another 
Wot more resembles : — that sweet rosy lad, 
W ho died, and vv as Fidele : — what think you ? 

Guid. The same dead thmg alive. 

Bel. Peace, peace ' see further. 

Pis. (Aside.) It is my mistress: 
Since she is living, let the time run on, 
To s^ood, or bad. 
{Retires a little Cymbeline and Imogen Advance.) 

Cym. Come, stand thou by our side ; 
Make thy demand aloud. — Sir, step you forth; 

( To lachimo.) 
Give answer to this boy, and do it freely ; 
Or, by our o^reatness, bitter torture shall 
Winnow the truth from falsehood. — On, speak to 
him. (To Imogen.) 

Imo. My boon is, that this gentleman may ren^ 

Of whom he had this rina:. [der 

{Pointing to a ring on lachimo'^s Jinger.) 

Post. (Aside.) VV hat s that to him ? 

Cym. That diamond upon your finger, say, 
How came it yours ? [that 

lack. Thoult torture me to leave unspoken 
Which, to be spoke, would torture thee. 

Cyi.i. How ! me ? [which 

lack. I am glad to be constrainM to utter that 



CYMBELINE. 103 

Torments me to conceal. By villainy 
I got this ring ; 'twas Leonatus' jewel, 
Whom thou didst banish ; and (which more may 

grieve thee, 
As it doth me,) a nobler sir ne'er liv'd [my lord ? 
'Twixt sky and ground. Wilt thou hear more, 
Cym. All that belongs to this. 
lach. That paragon, thy daughter, — [spirits 
For whom my heart drops blood, and my false 
Quail (1) to remember, — give me leave; I faint, 
{Madam and Locrine support him.) 
Cym. My daughter ! what of her? Renew thy 
strength : 
I had rather thou shouldst live while nature will, 
Than die ere 1 hear more. 

lach. Upon a time, (unhappy was the clock 
That struck the hour !) it was in Rome, (accurs'd 
The mansion where !) 'twas at a feast, (O, 'would 
Our viands had been poison'd ! or, at least. 
Those which I heav'd to head !) the good Pos- 
thumus — 
Cym. Come to the matter. [gins. — • 

lach. Your daughter's chastit}' — there it be- 
He spake of her, as Dian had hot dreams. 
And she alone were cold : whereat, I,-wretch ! — 
Made scruple of his praise ; and wager'd with 

him 
Pieces of gold, 'gainst this which then he wore 
Upon his honour'd finger, to attain 
In suit the place of his bed, and win this ring 
By hers and mine adultery. 

(1) Sink into dejection. 



104 CYMBELINE. 

Away to Britain 

Post 1 in this desig^n : well may you, sir, 

R<^member me at court, where 1 was taught 

Of your chaste daughter the wide difference 

'Twixt amorous and villainous : — 

To be brief, my practice so prevail'd, 

That I returned with simular proof enough 

To make the noble Leonatus mad, 

Bv woundmg his belief in her renown 

With tokens thus, and thus; 

That he could not 

But think -er bond of chastity quite crack'd, 

1 having ta'en the forfeit. Whereupon, — 

Methinks, I see him now. — 

Post. Ay, so thou dost, {Rushing forward.) 

Italian fiend ! — Ah me, most credulous fool, 
Egregious murderer, thief, any thing 
That's due to all the villains past, in being. 
To come ! — O, give me cord, or knife, or poison, 
Some upright justicer ! (1) ihou, king, send out 
For torturers ingenious : it is I 
That all the abhorred things o" the earth amend, 
By being worse than they. 1 am Fosthumus, 
1'hat kill d thy daughter: — villian like, I lie ; 
That caus'd a lesser villain than myself, 
A sacrilegious thief, to do't : — the temple 
Of virtue was she ; yea, and she herself (2) 
Spit and throw stones, cast mire upon me ; set 
1 he dogs o' the street to bay me : every villain 

(1) The most ancient law books have justiceis of the 
peace, as frequently as Justices of the peace. 

(2) She was not only the temple of virtue, but virtue her- 
self. 



CYMBELINE. 105 

Be call'd, Posthumus Leonatus , and 
Be villainy less than 't was ! — O Imogen ! 
My queen, my life, my wife I O Imogen, 
Imogen, Imogen ! 

Jmc. Peace, my lord ; hear, hear — 

Post. Thou scornful page, there is no peace 
for me. 
(^Striking her ; she falls into Pisanio''s arms.) 

Pis. O, gentlemen, help, help 
Mine, and your mistress : — O, my Lord Posthu- 
mus ! 
You ne'er kill'd Imogen till now ; — help, help !-— 
Mine honour'd lady ! 

Post. How come these staggers (1) on me ? 

Pis. Wake, my mistress ! 
' Cym. If thisbe so,thegods do mean to strike me 
To death with mortal joy. [from you ? 

Into. Why did you throw your wedded lady 
Think, that you are upon a rock ; and now 
Throw me again. [Runs into his arms.) 

Post. Hang there like fruit, my soul, 
Till the tree die ! 

Cym. My child, my child ! my dearest Imogen ! 

Imo. Your blessing, sir. [Kneeling.) 

Bel. Though you did love this youth, I blame 
you not ; 
You had a motive for't. 

{To Guiderius and Arviragus.) 

Cym. Imogen, 
Thy mother's dead. 

(1) This wild and delirious pertuibation. Staggers is the 
horses apoplexy. 



106 CYMBELINE. 

Imo. T am sorry for't, my lord. 

C?/m.O,she w s nnught; and 'long of her it was, 
That we meet here so strangely : hut her son 
Is gone, we know not how, nor where. {Pisanio 
and Imogen retire with Posthumus : — an Of^ 
jicer takes off his chains.) 

Guid. Let me end his story : 
'Twas 1 that slew him. 

Cym. Marry, the gods forefend ! 
I would not thy good deeds should from my lips 
Pluck a hard sentence : 'pr'ythee, valiant youth, 
Deny't agam. 

Guid. I have spoke it, and 1 did it. 

Cym. He was a prince. [me 

Guid A most uncivil one : the wrongs he did 
W*^re nothing prince-like ; for he did provoke me 
With language that would make me spurn the sea, 
If it could so roar to me : I cut off 's head ; 
And am right glad, he is not standing here 
To tell this tale of mine. 

Cyn. I am sorry for thee : [must 

By thine own tongtie, thou art condemned, and 
Endure our huv. — Bind the offender, 
And take him from our presence. 

{^Officers advance., l.h.) 

Bel. Stay, sir king: 
This man is better than the man he slew, 
As well descended as thyself; and hath 
More of thee n»erited, than a band of Clotens 
Had ever scar for. Let his arms alone ; 

{To the Officers who are seizing hi?n.) 
They wer^^ not born for bondage. 

Cym. VV hy, old soldier, 



CYMBELINE. 107 

Wilt thou undo the worth thou art unpaid for, 

By tasting of our wrath ? How of descent 

As good as we? [knee : 

Bel. I am too blunt and saucy : here's my 
Mighty sir, 

These two young gentlemen, that call me father, 
And think they are my sons, are none of mine ; 
They are the issue of your loins, my hege. 
And blood of your begetting {Posthmnus^ Imo- 
gen^ and Pisanio advance. — The Officers 
retire.) 

Cym. How ! my issue ? 

Bel. So sure as you your father's. — {Rises.) — 
I, old Morgan, 
Am that Belarius whom you sometime banish'd : 
Your pleasure was my mere offence, my punish- 
Itself, and all my treason; that 1 suffer'd, [ment 
Was all the harm I did. These gentle princes 
(For such, and so they are,) these twenty years 
Have I train'd up : those arts they have, as I 
Could put into them. — But, gracious sir, {Goes 
between the Princes, and takes one in each hand.) 
Here are your sons again : — 

{He presents them to the King — they kneel.) 
And I must lose 

Two of the sweei'st companions in the world : — 
The benediction of these covering heavens 
Fall on their heads like dew ! for they are worthy 
To inlay heaven with stars. 

Cym. Thou weep'st and speak'st. — (1) 

(1) Thy tears give testimony to the sincerity of thy r«la- 



108 CYMBELINE. 

I lost my children ; 

If these be they, I know not how to wish 
A pair of worthier sons. — Guiderius had 
Upon his neck a mole, a sanguine star ; 
It was a mark of wonder. 

Bel. This is he ; 
Who hath upon him still that natural stamp : 
It was wise Nature's end in the donation. 
To be his evidence now. 

Cym. Bless'd may you be, 
That, after this strange starting from your orbs, 
You may reign in them now ! — [The Boys rise.) 

— O, Imogen, 
Thou hast lost by this a kingdom. 

Imo. No, my lord ; (Crosses between them.) 
I have got two worlds by't. — O, my gentle 

brothers. 
Have we thus met ? O never say hereafter, 
But I am truest speaker: youcall'd me brother, 
When I was but your sister; 1 you brothers. 
When you were so indeed. 

(Crosses back to Post.) 

Cym. Did YOU e'er meet? — 

Arv. Ay, iSy good lord. 

Guid. And at first meeting lov'd, 

Cym. O rare instinct ! 
When shall I hear all through?- (To Guid and 

Arv.) How liv'dyou? where? — 
And — (To Imogen.) when came you to serve our 
Roman captive ? [them ? 

How parted with vour brothers? how first met 
Why fled you from the court? and whither?— 
But nor the time, nor place, 



CYMBELINE. 109 

Will serve our long intergatories. — See, 

Posthumus anchors upon Imogen ; 

And she, like harmless lightning, throws her eye 

On him — All o'erjoy'd, 

Save these in bonds ; let them be joyful too, 

For they shall taste our comfort. — 

(^Flourish of Drums and Trump'ts.^ 

Enter Roman Standard and twelve Soldiers r.u. v. e. 

Twelve Roman Soldiers. Twelve British Soldiers. 

Roman Standard, British Standard. 

Roman Officers. British Officers. 

Varus., Lucius. Locrine^ Madan. 

JACHiMo, Post. Imogen, Cym, Guid. Arv. Bel, 

R.H. L.H. 

^British Officers take off the chains of the Romans.) 

The forlorn soldier, that so nobly fought. 
He would have well becom'd this place, and 
The thankings of a king. [grac'd 

Post. I am, sir, 
The soldier that did company these three 
In poor beseeming ; 'twas a fitment for 
The purpose I then follow'd :— that I was he, 
Speak, lachimo ; I had you down, and might 
Have made you finish. 

lach. (Kneels.) I am down again : 
But now my heavy conscience sinks my knee, 
As then your force did. — 
But, your ring first; 

And here the bracelet of the truest princess, 
That ever swore her faith : — [Giving them.) 
10 



lio 



CYMBELINE. 



Now take that life, 'beseech you, 
Which I so oftea owe. 

Post. Knecl.not to me : 
The power that I have on you, is to spare you ; 
The maUce towards you, to forgive you : — live, 
And deal with others better. {lachimo rises.) 

Cym. Nobly doom'd : 
We'll learn our freeness of a son-in-law ; 
Pardon's the word to all.— Laud we the gods ; 
And let our crooked smokes climb to their nostrils 
From our bless'd altars !— Set we forward : let 
A Roman and a British ensign wave 
Friendly together : so through Lud's town march; 
Set on there :— never was a war did cease, 
Ere bloody hands were wash'd,with such a peace. 
{Flourish of Drums and Trumpets.) 



Disposition of the Characters when the Curtain falls. 




R.H. 



CURTAIN. 



L.H. 



OXBERRY'S EDITION 

OP 



TV ELLS & LILLY, (Boston,) have commenced 
reprinting a Series of Plays that are now pub- 
Jishing in London, and known as Oxberry's Edi- 
tion, which is the only one ever published contain- 
ing the stage business, and directions for correct 
performance of plays. 

0^ A Mimber is published every Sahirdai/^ 
Price to Subscribers, — each play 25 cents — each 
melo'drame or farce, 20 cents. 



Extract from the English Piibliskcvs' Prospectus. 
"It is intended by this Publication to comprise the most 
popular Theatrical Pieces of every description, arid to gratify 
the lovers of Dramatic Literature and the Professors of tl)e Stage, 
w^ith a standard and portable edition of the English Dra- 
ma, arranged in a style of novelty and excellence unknown to 
the manifold selections of a comparative nature by which this 
work has been preceded. Not to expatiate upon the glaring 
errors of inadvertence or design, by which tiie best works of 
this kind are degraded, the present attempt to corrert mistake, 
expunge redundancy, and supply omission, will be coupled with 
such features of utility as it is, perhaps, in the power cf its 



NEW ENGLISH DRAMA. 

ostensible Editor alone to afford. The theatrical reader will at 
once be enabled to appreciate the magnitude and importance of 
this plan, by a disclosure of those points upon which the pub- 
lishers, with most respectful firmness, have founded their claims 
to support. 

" Every Play, Farce, Melo-dramc, or Opera, will be printed 
from its respective official copy. The exact time that each act 
takes in representeiliou will be correctly stated. Parties who 
wish to leave the Theatre at the end of the play may thus order 
their carriages to an exact hour. 

" The sides of entrance and exit will be carefully noted; and 
the Stacepj.ct, or disposition of the characters, given, upon 
every change, in a. form of perfect originality, and lamijious 
information. Such an addendum must prove of incomparable 
value to provincial peiformeis, by whom ui)e business of the 
scene is at all times a matter of laborious attainment, and can 
thus alone be rendered an objccl uf easy, and authentic ac(jui- 
sition. 

*' Obscure passagr-s in the earliest Poets will be clearly ex- 
plained, the. predominant Ccstuuxe coi nxlly dosclbed, and a 
critical Estimate affixed to every Production, of its literary and 
dramatic pietensions. 

*' The Superintijndcnce of this publication v.ill be assumed 
^)y W. OXBERRY, of l!,t Theatre RoijaL Dnay Lane, assist- 
ed, in the editorial department, by publi . Wiiters of acute :.b- 
seivation, and erutUre research. Under such auspices, the 
.\' EW English Drama will be fully entitled, it is hoped, to thut 
Approbation and Encouragement, wiiirb no endeavour or ex- 
;ifuse shall be spared to procure and eniuvge." 



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